presented  to  the 

LIBRARY 
ERSITY  OF  CALIFORNIA  •  SAN  DIF.GO 

by 
FRIENDS  OF  THE  LIBRARY 


Mr.   and  Mrs.   Leslie  Scott 

donor 


SAINT    FRANCIS     OF    ASSISI. 

From  the  Painting  by  Alessandro  Moretto  in  the  Gallery  at  MUan. 


LITTLE   FLOWERS 

OF 

SAINT    FRANCIS    OF 
ASSISI 


In  the  Name  of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour 

JESUS  CHRIST,  who  was  crucified 

and    of  His    Mother    the     VIRGIN 

M  A  R Y.      In  thia  Book  are  contained 

certain  Little  Flowers,  Miracles,  and 

devout   Examples  of  that   glorious 

poor  Follower  of  Christ,   SAINT 

FRANCIS,  and  of  certain  of  his 

holy  Companions.    Told  to  the 

Praise  of  Jesus  Christ 

Amen. 


TRANSLATED   FROM   THE   ITALIAN 

With  a  Brief  Account  of  the  Life  of 
Saint  Francis 


ABBY   LANGDON  ALGER 


BOSTON 
LITTLE,  BROWN,  &  CO. 


Copyright,  1887, 
BY  ROBERTS  BROTHERS. 


(E&t  ©astern  press  Co, 

BOSTON,  MASS. 


PREFACE. 


SAINT  FRANCIS  was  born  in 
1 182,  in  the  little  town  of  Aflifi, 
in  Umbria,  chiefly  notable  as  having 
given  him  birth.  His  mother,  Ma- 
donna Pica,  was  of  noble  race,  and 
his  father,  Peter  Bernardone,  that  is, 
Peter  the  fon  of  Bernard,  the  family 
name  being  Moriconi, — was  a  rich  mer- 
chant, who  was  travelling  in  France 
on  bufmefs  at  the  time  Francis  was 
born.  Many  ftrange  tales  are  told  of 
the  omens  attending  the  little  boy's 
advent  into  the  world.  For  fome 
time  previous,  a  poor  man  roamed  the 
ftreets  of  Affifi  crying  aloud,  "  Peace 
and  profperity !  peace  and  profper- 
ity ! "  His  mother  was  ill  for  many 
days,  nor  were  her  fufferings  relieved 


vi  preface. 

until  by  the  advice  of  a  pilgrim  who 
came  that  way  me  was  laid  on  a  bed 
of  ftraw  in  a  ftable.  Thus  began  that 
likenefs  between  the  life  of  Francis 
and  that  of  Chrift,  which  was  contin- 
ued throughout.  Another  ftranger  ap- 
peared to  ac"l  as  godfather,  and  flill 
another  took  the  baby  in  his  arms 
and,  marking  his  right  moulder  with  a 
crofs,  foretold  the  victory  which  he  was 
to  win  over  the  Devil.  Madonna  Pica 
named  her  child  John,  in  memory  of 
the  beloved  difciple;  but  on  his  father's 
return  with  rich  profits,  he  chofe  to 
call  him  Francis,  for  the  country  where 
he  had  been  fo  fuccefsful. 

The  boy  was  taught  by  the  priefls 
of  the  parim,  and  learned  eafily  all 
that  was  taught  him,  mowing  an  ef- 
pecial  talent  for  the  language  of  the 
land  from  which  he  took  his  name. 
As  he  grew  to  manhood  he  was  fore- 
moft  in  the  gayeties  of  the  town,  win- 
ning for  himfelf  the  fobriquet  of  the 
"  flower  of  youth." 

Thomas  of  Celano,  a  Francifcan 


v 

brother,  and  a  dear  friend  of  Francis, 
defcribes  him  thus :  "  He  was  of  mid- 
dle ftature,  rather  under  than  over, 
with  an  oval  face  and  full  but  low 
forehead,  his  eyes  dark  and  clear, 
his  hair  thick,  his  eyebrows  clofe,  a 
ftraight  and  delicate  nofe,  a  voice  foft 
yet  keen  and  fiery;  clofe,  equal,  and 
white  teeth  ;  lips  modeft  yet  fubtle ;  a 
black  beard  not  thickly  grown ;  a  thin 
neck,  fquare  moulders,  fhort  arms, 
fmall  hands  and  feet,  delicate  fkin, 
and  little  flefh."  So  elegant  was  his 
drefs,  and  fo  luxurious  were  his  taftes, 
that  his  parents  often  faid,  "  He  is 
more  like  the  fon  of  a  prince  than  like 
our  fon."  Still,  they  were  proud  of 
his  fplendor,  and  grudged  him  noth- 
ing, though  his  charities  were  as  lavifh 
as  his  pleafures :  no  beggar  ever  a(ked 
of  him  in  vain. 

When  he  had  reached  the  age  of 
twenty-four,  however,  a  war  broke  out 
between  Affifi  and  Perugia.  Francis 
was  taken  prifoner,  and  for  a  year 
languifhed  in  captivity.  Returning 


v 


home,  he  fuffered  from  a  long  and 
tedious  illnefs  which  proved  a  turn- 
ing-point in  his  career.  He  began 
to  long  for  fomething  better  and 
higher  than  mere  amufement.  It 
was  the  age  of  knighthood,  and  his 
firft  thought  was  to  redrefs  wrong  and 
help  the  weak.  He  fet  out  to  join 
the  forces  of  the  Count  de  Brienne, 
defcribed  as  a  man  of  great  magnifi- 
cence and  liberality;  but  flopping  at 
Spoleto,  he  was  warned  in  a  dream  to 
return  home,  which  he  did  in  a  ftate 
of  melancholy  and  abforption.  His 
merry  comrades  laughingly  afked  if 
he  was  dreaming  of  a  wife,  that  he 
was  fo  fober.  "  Yes,"  was  the  anfwer,  — 
"of  a  wife  more  noble,  more  beauti- 
ful, and  more  rich  than  anything  your 
fancy  can  conceive."  This  bride  was 
Poverty,  whom  he  was  fo  foon  to 
efpoufe.  He  now  began  to  devote 
himfelf  more  entirely  to  the  fick  and 
poor,  particularly  the  lepers,  of  whom 
there  were  many  at  that  time.  Thefe 
wretched  beings  were  Ihunned  by 


preface.  ix 

every  one,  and  Francis  muft  in- 
deed have  feemed  mad  to  thofe  who 
faw  him  Hoop  to  kifs  their  infectious 
forms. 

Going  one  day  to  the  ruined  Church 
of  St.  Damian's,  an  inward  voice  bade 
him  repair  it.  At  once  he  hurried 
home,  and  his  father  being  away,  took 
a  quantity  of  merchandife,  which  he 
fold,  offering  the  price  for  the  work 
of  refloration.  The  pried  refufing, 
he  threw  it  in  a  corner,  where  it 
lay  until  the  angry  Peter  Bernardone, 
learning  what  had  happened,  came 
to  claim  it  and  to  imprifon  his  head- 
ftrong  fon.  His  mother  finally  freeing 
him,  he  fought  refuge  with  the  prieft 
of  St.  Damian's,  reftoring  to  his  father 
all  that  he  had  received  from  him, 
even  his  clothes,  dripping  himfelf  to 
the  hair  fliirt  which  he  had  worn  in 
fecret,  and  renouncing  his  father  for- 
ever. Thenceforth  he  begged  mate- 
rial to  repair  the  church  from  door 
to  door,  building  it  up  with  his  own 
hands,  and  collecting  broken  fcraps 


of  food  from  the  charitable,  for  his 
maintenance.  In  this  way,  in  the 
courfe  of  two  years  he  reflored  three 
churches  and  gained  twelve  difciples, 
the  firft  being  Bernard  of  Quintavalle. 
The  flory  of  their  converlion  and  final 
formation  into  the  Order  of  Friars 
Minor,  Gray  Friars,  or  Francifcan 
Monks,  is  told  in  the  "  Little  Flowers  " 
which  follow.  Within  eleven  years 
thefe  twelve  grew  to  more  than  five 
thoufand.  They  were  vowed  to  ab- 
ject poverty,  owning  abfolutely  noth- 
ing, thus  differing  from  the  other 
ecclefiaflical  bodies  then  in  exiftence. 
Francis  next  founded  the  Order  of 
Poor  Ladies,  afterwards  known  as  the 
Poor  Clares,  in  honor  of  their  firfl  ab- 
befs,  Clara  Sciffi,  a  beautiful  heirefs, 
who  left  her  home  at  the  age  of  fifteen 
to  enter  upon  a  religious  life.  Later 
Mill  the  third  Order  was  eflablifhed, 
which  was  open  to  men  and  women 
alike,  and  meant  for  thofe  who  lived 
in  the  world.  Thefe  three  Orders 
fpread  rapidly  throughout  the  globe, 


preface*  xi 

Saint  Francis  travelling  even  into 
Syria. 

After  enduring  every  privation  and 
forrow  for  many  years,  as  well  as 
many  namelefs  raptures  in  his  fpirit- 
ual  intercourfe  with  God,  he  faw,  as 
he  prayed  upon  a  lonely  mountain,  a 
vifion  of  Chrift  crucified ;  and  as  he 
gazed,  his  body  became  flamped  with 
the  Stigmata,  or  marks  of  the  Paflion 
of  our  Lord,  which  he  thenceforth 
bore  until  his  death,  fome  two  years 
after,  Oct.  4,  1226,  in  the  forty-fifth 
year  of  his  age. 

The  chief  quality  of  Saint  Francis — 
the  central  and  characteriftic  charm 
which  has  made  him  perhaps  the  beft 
beloved  of  all  the  illuftrious  members 
of  the  calendar  —  is  the  depth  and 
tendernefs  of  his  heart.  His  gentle 
and  generous  affection  was  conftantly 
overflowing  on  all  around  him,  in 
fympathetic  attention,  poetic  expre£ 
fions,  and  acts  of  endearment.  The 
objects  of  his  intenfe  and  exuberant 
love  were  not  only  God,  angels,  and 


xii  preface. 

men,  but  alfo  animals,  birds,  infecls, 
and  even  inanimate  objects,  which  he 
was  wont  to  addrefs  as  his  brothers 
and  fitters,  in  reference  to  their  com- 
mon origin  with  himfelf.  Many 
charming  inftances  of  his  friendfhips 
with  fifh,  falcons,  fwallows,  lambs, 
wolves,  hares,  pheafants,  and  graffhop- 
pers,  may  be  found  in  thefe  "  Little 
Flowers,"  and  in  the  various  Lives  of 
him. 

He  was  firft  to  eftablifh  the  cuftom 
ftill  prevalent  in  Catholic  countries, 
of  reprefenting  the  Nativity  in  the 
ftable  at  Bethlehem,  at  Chriftmas 
time,  before  the  altar.  He  was  alfo 
among  the  earliefl  of  Italian  poets; 
for  in  thofe  days  Italian  was  only 
the  vulgar  tongue,  Latin  or  the  foft 
Proven9al  being  ufed  for  literary  pur- 
pofes.  He  improvifed  many  ardent 
hymns  and  fongs,  which  he  taught  to 
his  followers,  the  moft  widely  known 
being  the  "  Canticle  to  the  Sun,"  or 
"  Song  of  the  Creatures,"  and  "  Love 
fets  my  Heart  on  Fire." 


preface.  xiii 

Many  full  and  interefling  Lives  of 
Saint  Francis  have  been  written  in 
various  tongues,  the  beft  being  thofe 
by  Thomas  of  Celano  and  by  Saint 
Bonaventura,  —  his  friends  and  difci- 
ples,  —  by  Father  Luke  Wadding,  by 
Mrs.  Oliphant,  by  M.  Chavin  de  Malin, 
and  by  a  Religious  of  the  Order  of 
Poor  Clares.  The  "  Little  Flowers  " 
are  a  feries  of  legends  which  were 
collected  fome  two  hundred  years 
after  his  death,  having  been  handed 
down  by  word  of  mouth  until  that 
time.  They  form  an  excellent  biog- 
raphy of  him  and  his  difciples,  told 
with  quaint  fimplicity  and  grace. 
The  tranflator  has  tried  to  preferve 
the  naivete  and  antique  flavor  of  the 
original  in  the  prefent  verfion.  The 
work  being  fo  famous  and  favorite  a 
claffic  in  Italy  and  France,  it  is  fome- 
what  fmgular  that  it  has  never  until 
now  been  prefented  in  Englifh. 

A.  L.  A. 

November,  1887. 


CONTENTS. 


CHAPTER  I. 

PAOS 

In  the  Name  of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus 
(Thrift,  Who  was  crucified,  and  of  His 
Mother  the  Virgin  Mary.  In  this  Book  are 
contained  certain  Little  Flowers,  Miracles, 
and  Devout  Examples  of  that  glorious  poor 
Follower  of  Chrift,  Saint  Francis,  and  of 
certain  of  his  holy  Companions.  Told  to 
the  Praife  of  Jefus  Chrift.  Amen  ...  7 


CHAPTER  II. 

Of  Brother  Bernard  of  Quintavalle,  the  firft 
Companion  of  Saint  Francis 


CHAPTER  III. 

How  for  the  evil  Thoughts  which  Saint  Francis 
had  regarding  Brother  Bernard,  he  com- 
manded that  fame  Brother  Bernard  that 
three  Times  he  fhould  place  his  Feet  upon 
his  Neck  and  upon  his  Mouth 16 


xvi  Contents* 

CHAPTER  IV. 

PACK 

How  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  put  a  Queflion  unto 
Brother  Elias,  the  Keeper  of  a  certain 
Convent  in  the  Vale  of  Spoleto.  and  for- 
afmuch  as  Brother  Elias  made  Anfwer 
haughtily,  departed  thence  and  went  forth 
unto  St.  James  of  Compoftella,  where  he 
met  with  Brother  Bernard  and  told  his  Tale 
unto  him 21 

CHAPTER  V. 

How  that  Saint,  Brother  Bernard  of  Aflifi, 
was  defpatched  by  Saint  Francis  to  Bo- 
logna, and  there  took  up  his  abode  ...  29 

CHAPTER  VI. 

How  Saint  Francis  bleffed  Brother  Bernard 
and  made  him  his  Vicar  when  he  came  to 
pafs  away  from  this  Life 33 

CHAPTER  VII. 

How  Saint  Francis  fafted  forty  Days  and  forty 
Nights  in  an  Ifland  of  the  Lake  of  Perugia, 
eating  no  more  but  half  a  Loaf 37 

CHAPTER  VIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  and  Brother  Leo,  as  they 
journeyed,  difcourfed  of  Perfect  Blifs  .  .  40 


Contents.  xvii 

CHAPTER  IX. 

PAGE 

How  Saint  Francis  taught  Brother  Leo  to 
make  Anfwer  unto  Him ;  and  He  could 
never  Speak  fave  the  Contrary  of  that 
which  Saint  Francis  Willed 44 

CHAPTER  X. 

How  Brother  Maximus  Mockingly  faid  unto 
Saint  Francis  that  the  World  was  at  his 
Feet,  and  he  made  Anfwer  that  this  was 
by  the  Grace  of  God,  and  a  Difgrace  to 
the  World 48 

CHAPTER  XL 

How  Saint  Francis  caufed  Brother  Maximus 
to  turn  himfelf  about,  and  then  departed 
unto  Sienna 50 

CHAPTER  XII. 

How  Saint  Francis  beflowed  on  Brother  Maxi- 
mus the  offices  of  Gate- Keeper,  Almoner, 
and  Cook :  then  at  the  Prayer  of  the  other 
Brothers  deprived  him  of  them  ....  55 

CHAPTER  XIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  and  Brother  Maximus  laid 
the  Bread  which  they  had  begged  upon  a 
Stone  befide  a  Well,  and  Saint  Francis 
loudly  praifed  Poverty.  Then  he  prayed 


xviii  Contents. 

PAOB 

unto  God  and  Saint  Peter  and  Saint  Paul 
that  they  might  enamour  Him  of  divine 
Poverty ;  and  how  Saint  Peter  and  Saint 
Paul  appeared  unto  Him 58 


CHAPTER  XIV. 

How  Saint  Francis,  difcourfing  of  God  with 
his  Brethren,  He  appeared  in  their  Midft   .    64 


CHAPTER  XV. 

How  Saint  Clara  ate  with  Saint  Francis  and 
with  his  Brother  Monks  in  St.  Mary  of 
the  Angels 65 


CHAPTER  XVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  received  the  Advice  of 
Saint  Clara  and  of  Holy  Brother  Sylvefter, 
that  he  mould  go  forth  and  preach,  con- 
verting the  People  ;  and  he  created  the 
Third  Order,  and  preached  to  the  Birds 
and  filenced  the  young  Swallows  ...  69 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

How  a  Francifcan  Child,  while  Saint  Francis 
prayed  by  Night,  faw  Chrift  and  the  Virgin 
Mary,  and  many  other  Saints  with  Him  .  76 


Contents.  xix 

CHAPTER  XVIII. 

rAOi 

Of  the  marvellous  Chapter  held  by  Saint 
Francis  in  the  Church  of  St.  Mary  of  the 
Angels,  where  were  aflembled  more  than 

o          * 

five  thoufand  of  the  Brethren      ....     78 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

How  the  Grapes  in  the  Vineyard  of  the  Prieft 
of  Rieti,  in  whofe  Houfe  Saint  Francis 
prayed,  were  trampled  and  'plucked  by  the 
many  People  which  came  thither  to  him  ; 
and  then  miraculoufly  made  more  Wine 
than  ever  before,  even  as  Saint  Francis  had 
promifed.  And  how  the  Lord  revealed  to 
Saint  Francis  that  Paradife  mould  be  his 
lot  ..........  ....  85 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Of  a  very  fair  Vifion,  feen  by  a  young  Friar, 
who  held  the  Cowl  in  fuch  abomination 
that  He  was  difpofed  to  lay  afide  his  Habit 
and  forfake  the  Order  .......  90 


CHAPTER  XXI. 

Of  the  Moft  Holy  Miracle,  which  Saint  Francis 
performed,  when  he  converted  the  very  fierce 
Wolf  at  Gubbio  .........  93 


xx  Contents. 

CHAPTER  XXII. 

PAGE 

How  Saint  Francis  tamed  the  wild  Turtle- 
Doves  99 

CHAPTER  XXIIL 

How  Saint  Francis  fet  free  the  Friar  who 
had  finned  with  the  aid  of  the  Devil  .  .  .  101 

CHAPTER  XXIV. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  the  Sultan  of 
Babylon  to  the  Faith 103 

CHAPTER  XXV. 

How  Saint  Francis  miraculoufly  healed  the 
Leper  in  Body  and  in  Soul ;  and  that  which 
the  Soul  fpake,  afcending  into  Heaven  .  .  106 

CHAPTER  XXVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  three  Thieves 
and  Murderers,  and  made  them  Brethren  ; 
and  of  the  moft  glorious  Vifion  beheld  of 
one  of  them  who  was  a  moft  holy  Brother  .  1 1 1 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  two  Scholars  of 
Bologna  and  made  Friars  of  them  ;  and 
then  rid  one  of  them  of  a  fore  Temptation 
which  befet  him 124 


(fcontenta.  xxi 

CHAPTER  XXVIII. 

PAGE 

Of  an  Ecftafy  which  feized  upon  Brother  Ber- 
nard and  held  him  from  Matins  even  until 
Nones,  he  being  all  that  fpace  unconfcious 
of  Aught 129 

CHAPTER   XXIX. 

How  the  Devil  ofttimes  did  appear  in  the  Form 
of  One  Crucified  unto  Brother  Rufus,  telling 
him  that  all  his  Labor  was  vain,  inafmuch 
as  he  was  not  chofen  unto  Eternal  Life : 
Saint  Francis  learning  this  through  Divine 
Revelation,  fhowed  Brother  Rufus  the 
Error  in  which  he  lay 131 

CHAPTER  XXX. 

Of  the  glorious  Sermon  which  Saint  Francis 
and  Brother  Rufus  preached  at  Aflifi  .  .138 

CHAPTER  XXXI. 

How  Saint  Francis  duly  knew  the  fecret  Souls 
of  all  his  Brethren 141 

CHAPTER  XXXII. 

How  Brother  Maximus  entreated  of  Chrift  the 
Virtue  of  Meeknefs 143 


xxii  Contents. 

CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

PAGE 

How  Saint  Clara,  at  the  Command  of  the 
Pope,  blefled  the  Bread  which  was  on  the 
Table  :  whereat  on  every  Loaf  was  feen 
the  fign  of  the  Holy  Crofs 146 

CHAPTER   XXXIV. 

How  Saint  Louis,  King  of  France,  went  in  Per- 
fon,  in  the  Guife  of  a  Pilgrim,  to  Perugia, 
to  vifit  Holy  Brother  Guy 148 

CHAPTER  XXXV. 

How,  being  infirm,  Saint  Clara  was  borne  by  a 
Miracle  unto  the  Church  of  Saint  Francis, 
upon  Chriftmas  Night,  and  heard  Mafs 
therein 151 

CHAPTER  XXXVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  fet  forth  to  Brother  Leo 
a  fair  Vifion  which  he  faw 153 

CHAPTER  XXXVII. 

How  Jefus  Chrift  the  Bleffed,  at  the  requeft  of 
Saint  Francis,  did  convert  a  rich  and  noble 
Knight,  and  make  him  a  Monk,  the  Same 
having  made  great  Proffers  and  paid  much 
Honor  unto  Saint  Francis 155 


(Tontcnts.  xxiii 

CHAPTER  XXXVIII. 

MM 

How  Saint  Francis  had  fpiritual  Knowledge 
that  Brother  Elias  was  damned,  and  was 
deftined  to  die  outfide  of  the  Order ;  where- 
fore at  Brother  Ellas'  Entreaty  He  prayed 
to  God  in  his  Behalf  and  was  heard  .  .  .  159 

CHAPTER  XXXIX. 

Of  the  Marvellous  Sermon  which  was  preached 
in  the  Confiftory  by  Saint  Antony  of  Padua, 
a  Gray  Friar 163 

CHAPTER  XL. 

Of  the  Miracle  which  God  performed  when 
Saint  Antony,  being  at  Rimini,  preached 
to  the  Fifhes  of  the  Sea 165 

CHAPTER  XLI. 

How  the  Venerable  Brother  Simon  freed  from 
fore  Temptation  a  Brother  which  for  that 
fame  caufe  was  about  to  forfake  the  Order  .  169 

CHAPTER  XLII. 

Of  the  fair  Miracles  which  God  wrought 
through  thofe  Holy  Brethren,  Brother  Wel- 
come, Brother  Peter  of  Monticello,  and 
Brother  Conrad  of  Offida :  and  how  Brother 


xxiv  (Contents. 

PAGE 

Welcome  bore  a  Leper  fifteen  Miles  in 
moil  brief  Space  ;  and  to  the  one  fpake 
Saint  Michael,  and  to  the  other  came 
the  Virgin  Mary  and  laid  her  Son  in  his 
Arms 174 

CHAPTER  XLIII. 

How  Brother  Conrad  of  Offida  did  convert 
a  young  Monk  who  afflicted  the  other 
Friars.  And  how  the  faid  young  Monk, 
coming  to  die,  did  appear  to  the  faid  Brother 
Conrad,  entreating  that  he  would  pray  for 
him :  and  how  he  fet  him  free  by  his  Prayers 
from  the  very  great  Pains  of  Purgatory  .  .179 

CHAPTER  XLIV. 

How  the  Mother  of  Chrift  and  Saint  John  the 
Evangelift  did  appear  unto  Brother  Con- 
rad, and  did  tell  him  which  of  they  twain 
did  grieve  moft  fore  for  the  Paffion  of 
Chrift 182 

CHAPTER  XLV. 

Of  the  Converfion  and  Life  and  Miracles 
and  Death  of  that  holy  Brother,  John  of 
the  Pen 185 

CHAPTER  XLVI. 

How  Brother  Peace,  being  at  Prayer,  faw  the 
Soul  of  his  Brother,  Brother  Humility, 
afcend  to  Heaven 193 


xxv 

CHAPTER  XLVII. 

MM 

Of  that  Holy  Monk  to  whom  the  Mother  of 
Chrift  appeared  when  he  was  infirm,  and 
brought  him  three  Boxes  of  Electuary  .  .196 

CHAPTER  XLVIII. 

How  Brother  James  of  Mafia  faw  in  a  Vifion 
all  the  Gray  Friars  of  the  World,  after  the 
Fafhion  of  a  Tree,  and  did  know  the  Vir- 
tues and  the  Merits  and  the  Vices  of  every 
one 199 

CHAPTER  XLIX. 

How  Chrift  appeared  to  Brother  John  of 
Vernia 206 

CHAPTER   L. 

How,  faying  Mafs  upon  All  Souls'  Day,  Brother 
John  of  Vernia  faw  many  Souls  fet  free 
from  Purgatory 214 

CHAPTER  LI. 

Of  the  Holy  Brother  James  of  Fallerone  ;  and 
how,  before  he  died,  he  did  appear  to 
Brother  John  of  Vernia 216 


xxvi  Contents. 

CHAPTER  LII. 

PAGE 

Of  the  Vifion  of  Brother  John  of  Vernia, 
wherein  he  knew  the  whole  Order  of  the 
Holy  Trinity 220 

CHAPTER  LIII. 

How,  faying  Mafs,  Brother  John  of  Vernia 
fell  as  one  Dead  .  .  222 


The   Little   Flowers 


OF 


Saint  Francis  of  Aflifi. 


CHAPTER   I. 

In  the  Name  of  Our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus 
Chrift,  Who  was  crticified,  and  of  His 
Mother  the  Virgin  Mary.  In  this  Book  are 
contained  certain  Little  Flowers,  Miracles, 
and  devout  Examples  of  that  glorious  poor 
Follower  of  Chrijl,  Saint  Francis,  and  of 
certain  of  his  holy  Companions.  Told  to  the 
Praife  of  Jefus  Chrijl.  Amen. 

WE  have  firft  to  confider  that  the 
glorious  Saint  Francis  in  all  the  ac~ls 
of  his  life  was  like  unto  Chrift,  our  bleffed 
Lord ;  for  even  as  Chrift  in  the  beginning 
of  His  preaching  chofe  to  Himfelf  twelve 
Apoflles  who  fhould  renounce  all  worldly 
things  and  follow  after  Him  in  poverty 

and 


8         &i)e  SLtttle  jFiotoers  of 


and  in  other  virtuous  deeds,  even  fo  Saint 
Francis  chofe  in  the  beginning  of  the  foun- 
dation of  his  Order  twelve  companions, 
vowed  to  the  moft  abject  poverty  ;  and  alfo 
even  as  one  of  the  twelve  Apoftles  of  Chrift, 
reproved  of  God,  went  out  and  hanged  him- 
f  elf  by  the  neck,  fo  one  of  the  twelve  Compan- 
ions of  Saint  Francis,  the  fame  which  was 
called  Brother  John  of  the  Chapel,  did  turn 
apoftate,  and  finally  go  out  and  hang  himfelf 
by  the  neck.  And  this  is  a  worthy  exam- 
ple for  the  elect,  and  a  fubject  for  fear  and 
humility,  confidering  that  none  can  be  fure 
of  continuing  unto  the  end  in  the  grace  of 
God.  And  as  thofe  holy  Apoftles  were  a 
wonder  to  all  men  for  their  fanctity  and 
humility,  and  were  filled  full  with  the  Holy 
Ghoft,  fo  too  the  moft  holy  companions  of 
Saint  Francis  were  men  of  fo  much  fanc- 
tity, that,  from  the  days  of  the  Apoftles 
down  to  the  prefent  time,  the  world  has 
known  no  fuch  wonderful  and  holy  men, 
infomuch  as  a  certain  one  among  them 
was  fnatched  up  into  the  third  Heaven,  like 
Saint  Paul,  and  that  was  Brother  Guy;  a 
certain  one  among  them,  that  is  Brother 
Philip  Long,  was  touched  upon  the  lips 
by  an  Angel  with  a  living  coal,  as  was  the 

Prophet 


Saint  jFrancis  of  &S8(8i.       9 

Prophet  Ifaiah  ;  a  certain  one  among  them, 
and  that  was  Brother  Silvefter,  talked  with 
God,  as  might  one  friend  with  another, 
even  as  did  Mofes  ;  a  certain  one  among 
them  did  rife  by  fubtlety  of  intellect  even 
unto  the  light  of  divine  wifdom,  like  unto 
the  Eagle,  which  is  John  the  Evangelift, 
and  this  was  Brother  Bernard,  the  moft 
humble  of  men,  who  did  expound  the  Holy 
Scriptures  moft  learnedly ;  a  certain  one 
among  them  was  fanctified  of  God,  and 
canonized  in  heaven  while  ftill  living  upon 
this  earth,  and  that  was  Brother  Rufus,  a 
gentleman  of  Affifi.  And  thus  were  all  priv- 
ileged to  receive  fingular  figns  of  fanc~lity, 
even  as  mail  be  fet  forth  in  the  following 
pages. 


CHAPTER   II. 

Of  Brother  Bernard  of  Quintavalle,   the  fir/I 
Companion  of  Saint  Francis. 


firft  companion  of  Saint  Francis 
was  one  Brother  Bernard  of  Affifi,  the 
fame  being  converted  in  this  fafhion  ;  Saint 
Francis  being  ftill  clad  in  fecular  garb,  al- 

though 


io       STije  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

though  he  had  already  renounced  the  world, 
and  went  about  defpifing  all  vain  fhow,  and 
mortifying  his  flefti  by  manifold  forms  of 
penitence,  infomuch  that  of  many  he  was 
held  to  be  half  mad,  and  was  fcorned  as  a 
fool  and  driven  forth  with  Hones  and  loath- 
ing alike  by  his  family  and  by  ftrangers,  and 
he  amidft  all  infults  and  injuries  remained 
paffive,  as  if  deaf  and  dumb,  —  Bernard  of 
Affifi,  who  was  one  of  the  moft  noble,  rich, 
and  wife  men  of  that  city,  began  prudently 
to  confider  Saint  Francis'  exceeding  con- 
tempt for  this  world  and  his  great  patience 
amid  infults  ;  how  that  for  the  fpace  of  two 
long  years,  being  thus  held  in  abomination 
and  defpifed  of  all  men,  he  feemed  ever  but 
the  more  fteadfaft  in  his  faith.  He  began 
to  think  and  to  fay  to  himfelf ,  "  It  can  in  no 
wife  be  but  that  this  Brother  is  poffeffed  of 
the  great  grace  of  God  ; "  and  he  invited 
him  to  fup  with  him  that  night  and  to  lodge 
with  him.  And  Saint  Francis  accepted 
his  proffers,  and  fupped  and  lodged  with 
him.  And  then  did  Bernard  ponder  in 
his  heart  and  meditate  upon  his  fanclity; 
whereupon  he  ordered  a  bed  to  be  laid  for 
him  in  his  own  chamber,  wherein  a  lamp 
ever  burned  at  night.  And  Saint  Francis 

defiring 


jFrancis  of  Assist,      n 

defiring  to  hide  his  great  fan<5tity,  imme- 
diately that  he  entered  the  chamber,  threw 
himfelf  upon  his  bed  and  feigned  fleep ; 
and  even  fo  did  Bernard,  and  after  a  cer- 
tain fpace  he  turned  himfelf  over  and  began 
to  fnore  loudly,  as  he  were  fleeping  heavily. 
For  the  which  thing  Saint  Francis,  truly 
believing  that  Bernard  flept  in  his  firft 
{lumbers,  arofe  from  the  bed  and  fell  him- 
felf upon  his  knees,  lifting  both  hands  and 
eyes  to  heaven,  and  with  the  utmoft  fervor 
and  devotion  he  exclaimed,  "  My  God  !  my 
God  !  "  and  thus  crying  and  weeping  much, 
he  remained  until  morning,  repeating  ever, 
"  My  God  !  my  God  ! "  and  nought  elfe  ; 
and  thus  fpake  Saint  Francis,  contemplat- 
ing and  admiring  the  excellency  of  the 
Divine  Majefty  Which  had  deigned  to  de- 
fcend  to  pardon  a  perifhing  world  ;  where- 
fore Saint  Francis  became  a  poor  beggar 
and  devoted  his  life  to  feeking  out  fome 
means  of  falvation  for  his  foul  and  for  the 
fouls  of  others.  And  ftill  illumined  by  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  or  elfe  indeed  by  the  fpirit 
of  prophecy,  forefeeing  the  great  things 
which  the  Lord  was  to  do  for  him  and  for 
his  Order,  and  confidering  his  own  infuffi- 
ciency  and  little  virtue,  he  cried  aloud  and 

prayed 


12        £i)r  nettle  jFlotoen*  of 


prayed  unto  God  that  of  His  Charity  and 
Omnipotence,  without  which  human  weak- 
nefs  availeth  nought,  He  would  fupply,  aid, 
and  complete  the,  work  which  man  alone 
could  not  achieve. 

Bernard,  feeing  by  the  light  of  the  lamp 
these  moft  pious  acts  of  Saint  Francis,  and 
confidering  devoutly  the  words  which  he 
uttered,  was  touched  and  infpired  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft  to  change  his  life  ;  infomuch 
that  at  dawn  of  day  he  called  unto  Saint 
Francis  and  faid  thus  :  "  Brother  Francis, 
my  heart  is  greatly  minded  to  forfake 
the  world  and  to  follow  after  thee  in  all 
things  that  thou  fhalt  command  me."  Hear- 
ing this,  Saint  Francis  rejoiced  in  fpirit 
and  fpake  thus  :  "  Bernard,  this  of  which 
you  fpeak  is  fo  great  and  difficult  a  talk 
that  we  muft  needs  take  counfel  concern- 
ing it  with  Our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and 
pray  Him  that  it  may  pleafe  Him  to  fhow 
us  His  fovereign  will  in  the  fame,  and  to 
teach  us  how  we  may  execute  it  ;  and  there- 
fore let  us  go  forth  together  to  the  Epif- 
copal  Palace,  where  we  may  find  a  right- 
eous prieft,  and  we  will  bid  him  fay  a  mafs  ; 
there  we  will  remain  and  pray  even  unto 
the  third  hour  of  the  day,  entreating  God 

that 


Saint  jFrancis  of  Assist.     13 

that  even  in  the  three  openings  of  the  Miffal 
He  will  fet  forth  to  us  the  way  which  it 
fhall  pleafe  Him  to  have  us  go." 

Bernard  replied  that  thefe  things  liked 
him  well.  Thus  they  fet  forth  and  came 
unto  the  Bifhop's  Palace  ;  and  there  hav- 
ing heard  the  Mafs,  and  remained  abforbed 
in  prayer  even  unto  the  third  hour  of  the 
day,  the  prieft,  at  the  petition  of  Saint 
Francis,  took  up  the  Miffal,  and  making 
the  fign  of  the  moft  Holy  Crofs,  did 
open  it  three  times  in  the  name  of  Our 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift  ;  and  at  the  firft  opening 
there  appeared  thefe  words,  which  Chrift 
fpake  in  the  Gofpel  unto  the  young  man  who 
afked  of  Him  the  way  to  be  perfect: :  "  If 
thou  wilt  be  perfect,  go  and  fell  that  thou 
haft  and  give  to  the  poor,  and  come  and 
follow  Me."  At  the  fecond  opening  there 
appeared  thefe  words  uttered  by  Chrift  to 
the  Apoftles  when  He  fent  them  forth  to 
preach  :  "  Provide  neither  gold,  nor  filver, 
nor  brafs  in  your  purfes,  nor  fcrip  for  your 
journey,  neither  two  coats,  neither  fhoes, 
nor  yet  ftaves  ; "  defiring  thereby  to  teach 
them  that  they  fhould  fet  all  their  truft 
in  God,  and  bend  their  whole  thoughts  to 
the  preaching  of  the  Holy  Gofpel ;  at  the 

third 


i4        &!)*  SLtttle  jFiotoers  of 

third  opening  of  the  Miffal  there  appeared 
thefe  words  which  Chrift  fpake  :  "  If  any 
man  will  come  after  Me,  let  him  deny 
himfelf,  and  take  up  his  crofs,  and  follow 
Me." 

Then  faid  Saint  Francis  to  Bernard, 
"  Behold  the  counfel  which  Chrift  hath 
given  us.  Go  therefore  and  do  that  which 
you  have  heard ;  and  bleffed  be  Our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  which  hath  ftooped  to  fhow 
us  the  way  of  His  gofpel."  Hearing  this, 
Bernard  went  out  and  fold  all  that  that  he 
had,  —  and  he  was  very  rich,  —  and  with 
great  joy  did  divide  all  his  wealth  among 
widows  and  orphans,  among  prifons  and 
monafteries,  and  among  hofpitals  and  pil- 
grims ;  and  in  all  things  was  aided  faithfully 
and  providently  of  Saint  Francis. 

And  a  certain  man,  whofe  name  was 
Silvefter,  feeing  that  Saint  Francis  gave 
fo  much  money  to  the  poor,  and  continued 
to  give  large  fums,  pinched  by  avarice,  faid 
to  Saint  Francis,  "  Never  yet  have  you 
paid  me  all  that  you  owe  me  for  thofe 
ftones  that  you  did  buy  to  repair  the  church  ; 
now  therefore  that  you  have  money,  pay." 
Then  Saint  Francis,  marvelling  much  at 
his  avarice,  and  loath  to  contend  with  him, 

like 


-Saint  jfrancis  of  Assist.      15 

like  unto  a  true  obferver  of  the  Holy  Gof- 
pel,  did  ftretch  forth  his  hand  into  the  lap 
of  Bernard,  and  drawing  it  out  full  of 
money,  caft  the  fame  into  the  lap  of  Sil- 
vefter,  faying,  "  If  more  you  defire,  yet 
more  will  I  give  you."  Silvefter  being 
content  with  that  that  he  had,  went  away 
and  returned  to  his  own  houfe ;  but  at 
evening,  pondering  on  that  which  he  had 
done  that  day,  and  reproaching  himfelf  for 
his  avarice,  confidering  the  fervor  of  Ber- 
nard and  the  fanclity  of  Saint  Francis, 
the  following  night,  and  for  yet  two  other 
nights,  God  fent  him  this  rare  vifion :  that 
from  the  mouth  of  Saint  Francis  there 
iffued  forth  a  crofs  of  gold,  the  top  of 
which  reached  even  unto  Heaven,  and  the 
arms  of  which  ftretched  from  the  Eaft 
even  unto  the  Weft.  Becaufe  of  this  vifion 
he  gave  away  for  love  of  God  all  that  that 
he  had,  and  became  one  of  the  Gray  Friars  ; 
and  fuch  were  his  fanclity  and  grace  while 
in  the  Order,  that  he  fpake  with  God  even 
as  one  friend  with  another,  as  Saint  Francis 
many  times  experienced,  and  as  is  by  him 
fet  forth  in  thefe  pages. 

Bernard   likewife   received    great   grace 
from  God,  forafmuch  as  he  was  often  tranf- 

ported 


1 6       fctye  HCttle  jFlotoers  of 

ported  in  the  contemplation  of  God ;  and 
Saint  Francis  faid  of  him  that  he  was  wor- 
thy of  all  reverence,  and  that  he  was  the 
true  founder  of  this  Order,  inafmuch  as  he 
was  the  firft  who  forfook  the  world,  keeping 
nothing  for  himfelf,  but  giving  all  to  Chrift's 
poor ;  and  he  fet  an  example  of  Chriftian 
poverty,  offering  himfelf  naked  to  the  arms 
of  Chrift  crucified  ;  for  which  thing  may  he 
be  blefled  infaeculafaeculorum.  Amen. 


CHAPTER   III. 

How  for  the  evil  Thoughts  which  Saint  Francis 
had  regarding  Brother  Bernard,  he  commanded 
that  fame  Brother  Bernard  that  three  Times 
he  Jhould  place  his  Feet  upon  his  Neck  and  upon 
his  Mouth. 


moft  devout  fervant  of  the  Crofs, 
X  Saint  Francis,  from  fevere  penance 
and  conftant  tears  had  become  almoft  blind 
and  faw  but  little.  Upon  one  occafion  he 
left  the  place  where  he  abode  and  went 
to  that  place  where  Brother  Bernard  fo- 
journed,  to  fpeak  with  him  of  divine  things. 
And  coming  to  that  place  he  learned  that 

the 


.Saint  jFrancts  of  a»sts(.     t; 

the  Brother  was  at  prayer  in  the  wood, 
rapt,  and  conjoined  with  God.  Then  Saint 
Francis  went  forth  into  that  wood  and 
called  aloud,  faying,  "  Come  hither  and 
fpeak  to  this  blind  beggar."  And  Brother 
Bernard  anfwered  him  not,  forafmuch  as, 
being  a  man  greatly  given  to  meditation, 
his  mind  was  abforbed  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  God  ;  and  he  was  ftrangely  favored 
in  converfe  with  God,  as  Saint  Francis  had 
ofttimes  proven,  and  therefore  did  he  defire 
to  have  fpeech  with  him.  After  a  certain 
fpace  he  called  unto  him  a  fecond  and 
even  a  third  time  after  the  fame  fafhion ; 
and  never  once  did  Brother  Bernard  heed 
or  hear  his  voice ;  neither  did  he  make  any 
anfwer,  nor  came  he  forth  to  meet  him  ; 
fo  that  Saint  Francis  departed  no  little 
difconfolate,  and  marvelling  and  lamenting 
in  his  own  mind  that  Brother  Bernard, 
three  times  called,  came  not  forth  to  him. 
Journeying  thence  with  thefe  thoughts, 
Saint  Francis,  having  gone  but  a  little  way, 
faid  unto  his  companion,  "Await  me  here." 
And  he  went  afide  into  a  folitary  place 
and  fell  to  praying,  befeeching  God  that 
He  would  reveal  to  him  wherefore  Brother 
Bernard  made  not  anfwer  unto  him.  And 

Handing 


1 8        Eije  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

Handing  there,  he  heard  a  voice  from  God 
which  fpake  thefe  words :  "  O  poor  weak 
foul,  why  art  thou  difturbed  ?  Should  man 
leave  God  for  his  fellow  man  ?  Brother 
Bernard,  when  you  cried  unto  him,  was 
conjoined  with  Me,  and  hence  he  could 
not  come  to  thee,  neither  could  he  make 
anfwer  unto  thee ;  therefore  marvel  not 
that  he  anfwered  thee  not,  lince  his  foul 
was  fo  far  removed  from  his  body  that  he 
heard  not  any  of  thy  words."  Saint  Fran- 
cis, having  this  anfwer  from  God,  imme- 
diately returned  again  with  much  fpeed  to 
Brother  Bernard,  humbly  to  accufe  himfelf 
of  the  evil  thoughts  which  he  had  cherifhed 
towards  him.  And  feeing  him  draw  nigh, 
Brother  Bernard  went  out  to  meet  him 
and  fell  down  before  him  ;  and  then  Saint 
Francis  raifed  him  up,  and  with  all  humil- 
ity told  his  thoughts,  and  the  trouble  which 
he  had  felt  concerning  him,  and  how  that 
God  had  made  anfwer  unto  him  in  the  mat- 
ter ;  hence  he  concluded  thus  :  "  I  charge 
you  by  your  facred  vow  of  obedience  that 
you  do  do  the  things  which  I  mall  com- 
mand you."  Brother  Bernard,  fearing  left 
Saint  Francis  mould  require  of  him  fome 
exceffive  thing,  as  was  his  wont,  made  honeft 

endeavor 


Saint  jFtancts  of  Assist.     19 

endeavor  to  avoid  this  obedience,  anfwering 
thus  :  "  I  am  prepared  to  obey  you  meekly, 
if  you  will  promife  me  to  do  that  which 
I  in  turn  mail  command  of  you."  And 
Saint  Francis  promifing  him,  Brother  Ber- 
nard faid,  "Speak,  father;  bid  me  what 
you  would  have  me  to  do."  Then  faid 
Saint  Francis :  "  I  command  you,  by  your 
facred  vow  of  obedience,  that,  to  punifh  my 
prefumption  and  the  boldnefs  of  my  heart, 
now  as  I  throw  myfelf  flat  upon  the  ground 
you  place  one  foot  upon  my  neck  and  the 
other  upon  my  mouth,  and  thus  mall  you 
pafs  three  times  over  my  body,  crying 
fhame  upon  me  and  reviling  me  ;  and  more 
efpecially  Ihall  you  cry  unto  me,  '  Lie  there, 
thou  vile  fon  of  Peter  Bernardone  ;  whence 
haft  thou  acquired  fuch  pride,  vileft  of  all 
creatures  that  thou  art  ? ' '  Hearing  this, 
Brother  Bernard,  hard  as  was  his  talk,  yet 
for  the  fake  of  his  facred  vow  of  obedience, 
as  courteoufly  as  he  might,  did  fulfil  the 
will  of  Saint  Francis,  even  as  he  had  com- 
manded him  ;  and  this  done,  Saint  Francis 
faid :  "  Do  you  command  me  now  in  turn 
whatfoever  you  will  that  I  mail  do,  inaf- 
much  as  I  have  promifed  obedience."  Then 
faid  Brother  Bernard,  "  By  your  facred  vow 

of 


20        fffje  ILittle  plotters  of 

of  obedience  I  charge  you  that  as  many 
times  as  we  may  hap  to  be  in  company 
you  do  reprove  me  and  correct  me  fharply 
for  my  fins."  At  which  thing  Saint  Fran- 
cis marvelled  greatly,  feeing  that  Brother 
Bernard  was  a  man  of  great  fanclity  whom 
he  held  in  much  reverence,  nor  did  he  hold 
him  cenfurable  for  any  fin  whatfoever.  And 
although  from  that  time  forth  Saint  Francis 
ftrove  to  fpend  much  time  with  him  in  ac- 
cordance with  his  vow  of  obedience,  never 
any  word  of  reproof  or  blame  paffed  his 
lips  toward  one  whom  he  knew  to  be  a  man 
of  fuch  great  fanclity ;  but  as  often  as  he 
defired  to  fee  him,  or  indeed  to  hear  him 
converfe  with  God,  as  fpeedily  as  might  be 
he  went  forth  unto  him  ;  and  it  was  moil 
devout  to  fee  with  how  great  love  and  rev- 
erence and  humility  Father  Saint  Francis 
ufed  to  fpeak  with  Brother  Bernard  his  firft- 
born  fon.  To  the  praife  and  glory  of  Jefus 
Chrift,  and  of  that  poor  Chriftian,  Francis. 
Amen. 


Saint  jFtantts  of  Assist.     21 


CHAPTER   IV. 

How  the  Angel  of  the  Lord  put  a  Queflion  unto 
Brother  £tias,  the  Keeper  of  a  certain  Convent 
in  the  Vale  of  Spoleto,  and  forafmuch  as 
Brother  Elias  made  Anfwer  haughtily,  de- 
parted thence  and  went  forth  unto  St.  James 
of  Compoflella,  where  he  met  with  Brother 
Bernard  and  told  his  Tale  unto  him. 

AT  the  beginning  and  firft  undertaking 
of  the  Order,  when  the  Friars  were 
but  few,  and  but  little  land  had  been  ac- 
quired, Saint  Francis,  from  a  fpirit  of  devo- 
tion, did  go  to  St.  James  of  Galicia,  and  in 
his  train  were  certain  Brethren,  of  whom 
one  was  Brother  Bernard.  And  travelling 
thus  their  road,  they  met  a  poor  fick  beg- 
gar, having  pity  upon  whom,  Saint  Francis 
faid  to  Brother  Bernard :  "  Son,  I  befeech 
you,  ftay  here  and  ferve  this  fick  man." 
And  Brother  Bernard,  humbly  kneeling 
and  bowing  his  head,  yielded  obedience 
to  the  Holy  Father  and  remained  in  that 
fpot ;  and  Saint  Francis  with  his  compan- 
ions went  his  way  unto  St.  James.  Coming 
thither  and  fpending  the  night  in  prayer 

within 


22        SH)e  mttle  jplotoers  of 


within  the  Church  of  St.  James,  it  was  re- 
vealed of  God  to  Saint  Francis  that  he  was 
deftined  to  acquire  much  land  throughout 
the  world,  inafmuch  as  his  Order  was  def- 
tined to  fpread  and  to  grow  even  unto  a 
vaft  multitude  of  Monks  ;  and  in  accord- 
ance with  this  revelation  Saint  Francis 
forthwith  began  to  acquire  land  in  that 
fame  region.  And  travelling  homeward  by 
that  felfsame  way  he  came,  Saint  Francis 
met  with  Brother  Bernard  and  the  fick 
man  with  whom  he  left  him,  healed  and 
made  quite  whole  ;  hence  Saint  Francis 
granted  Brother  Bernard  in  the  enfuing 
year  that  he  alfo  fhould  vifit  St.  James. 

And  thus  Saint  Francis  returned  into 
the  Vale  of  Spoleto.  And  here  he  fojourned 
in  a  defolate  place,  he  and  Brother  Maxi- 
mus  and  Brother  Elias  and  others.  And 
every  man  among  them  ftrove  mightily  left 
he  fhould  pefter  or  annoy  Saint  Francis  as 
he  prayed  ;  and  this  they  did  for  the  great 
reverence  which  they  bare  him,  and  for- 
afmuch  as  they  were  well  aware  that  God 
made  known  unto  him  great  wonders  in 
his  prayers.  It  befell  one  day  that  Saint 
Francis  being  at  prayer  in  the  wood,  a 
Beauteous  Youth  arrayed  for  a  journey  came 

to 


jfrancis  of  Assist.     23 

to  the  door  of  that  place  wherein  he  flayed, 
and  knocked  fo  often  and  fo  loud  and  for 
fo  long  a  fpace,  that  much  the  broth- 
ers marvelled  among  themfelves  at  fuch 
unwonted  noife.  Brother  Maximus  went 
out  and  oped  the  door  and  faid  to  that 
youth,  "  Whence  come  you,  O  Son,  fmce  it 
feems  you  never  did  come  hither  yet,  inaf- 
much  as  you  knock  thus  contrary  to  all 
ufe  ? "  The  youth  made  anfwer :  "  And  how 
mould  I  knock  ? "  Then  faid  Brother  Max- 
imus, "  Knock  thrice,  the  one  knock  follow- 
ing flowly  after  the  other;  then  wait  fo  long 
as  until  the  Brother  mail  have  faid  a  Pa- 
ternoster and  come  unto  you ;  and  if  after 
that  fpace  he  come  not,  knock  yet  once 
again."  The  young  man  anfwered,  "  My 
hafte  is  exceeding  great,  forafmuch  as  I 
have  a  long  journey  to  make,  and  am  come 
hither  to  fpeak  with  Brother  Francis  ;  but 
he  now  is  in  the  wood  loft  in  a  mufe,  and 
hence  I  will  not  vex  him ;  but  go  call  me 
hither  Brother  Elias,  to  whom  I  would  put 
but  one  queftion  only,  fmce  I  hear  that 
he  is  very  wife."  Brother  Maximus  went 
in  and  bade  Brother  Elias  go  out  to  the 
young  man ;  and  he  waxed  angry  and 
would  not  go.  At  which  thing  Brother 

Maximus 


24        &$e  SLfttle  jflotorrs  of 

Maximus  knew  not  what  to  do,  neither 
what  anfwer  he  Ihould  make  to  him,  inaf- 
much  as  faying  that  Brother  Elias  could 
not  come,  he  fpake  falfely ;  faying  he  was 
vexed  in  fpirit  and  would  not  come,  he 
feared  left  he  Ihould  fet  an  evil  example. 
And  Brother  Maximus  lingering  thus,  the 
young  man  knocked  yet  again  as  before, 
and  in  a  little  time  Brother  Maximus  re- 
turned to  the  gate,  and  faid  to  the  young 
man,  "  Why  heed  you  not  my  counfels  in 
your  knocking  ? "  The  young  man  an- 
fwered :  "  Brother  Elias  comes  not  unto  me  ; 
go  therefore  and  fay  to  Brother  Francis 
that  I  am  come  hither  to  fpeak  with  him  ; 
but  forafmuch  as  I  would  not  come  againft 
him  in  his  praying,  let  him  bid  Brother 
Elias  come  out  to  me."  And  then  Brother 
Maximus  went  in  to  Saint  Francis,  who 
was  praying  in  the  thick  wood  with  his  face 
lift  up  to  heaven,  and  he  delivered  the 
young  man's  meffage  and  the  anfwer  of 
Brother  Elias  ;  and  that  young  man  was 
the  Angel  of  the  Lord  in  the  likenefs  of  a 
Man.  Then  Saint  Francis,  removing  not 
from  his  place,  neither  calling  down  his 
eyes,  faid  to  Brother  Maximus  :  "  Go,  fay 
unto  Brother  Elias,  by  his  vow  of  obedience 

I 


jFrancts  of  Assist.      25 

I  charge  him  that  he  fhall  go  forthwith  to 
that  young  man."  Brother  Elias,  hearing 
Saint  Francis'  charge  of  obedience,  went 
out  to  the  gate  greatly  troubled,  and  with 
fury  and  noife  did  open  it,  and  fpake  to  the 
young  man,  faying,  "  What  would  you  with 
me  ? "  The  young  man  made  anfwer,  fay- 
ing, "  Beware,  Brother,  left  you  be  troubled 
in  fpirit  even  as  you  feem  ;  for  anger  clouds 
the  mind,  letting  it  not  fee  the  Truth." 
Then  faid  Brother  Elias,  "Tell  me  what 
you  would  with  me."  The  young  man 
made  anfwer,  "  I  afk  you  whether  it  be 
lawful  for  followers  of  the  Holy  Scrip- 
tures to  eat  that  which  is  fet  before  them, 
even  as  Chrift  fpake  to  his  difciples  ;  and 
I  alk  you  alfo  whether  it  be  lawful  for 
any  man  to  fet  before  them  aught  that  is 
contrary  to  Chriftian  freedom  ?"  Brother 
Elias  made  anfwer  loftily  :  "  Well  might  I 
anfwer  your  queftion,  but  I  will  not  do  fo  ; 
go  your  way."  The  young  man  faid,  "  Bet- 
ter can  I  anfwer  this  queftion  than  can  you." 
Then  Brother  Elias,  vexed  and  angered, 
clofed  the  gate  and  went  thence.  Going 
in,  he  began  to  ponder  upon  the  faid  quef- 
tions,  and  to  doubt  within  himfelf  concern- 
ing them,  and  he  knew  not  how  to  folve 

them 


26       STfje  tLtttle  jFlotoers  of 

them,  notwithftanding  that  he  was  Vicar- 
General  of  the  Order,  and  had  commanded 
and  writ  in  the  Rule,  contrary  to  the  gof- 
pel  and  contrary  to  the  Rule  of  Saint  Fran- 
cis, that  no  brother  of  the  Order  Ihould  eat 
meat ;  fo  that  the  faid  queftion  was  ex- 
preffly  directed  againft  him.  Thus,  know- 
ing not  how  to  diffipate  his  doubts,  and 
confidering  the  modefty  of  the  Youth,  and 
how  that  he  had  faid  He  could  better  anfwer 
the  queftion  than  he,  he  turned  back  to  the 
gate  and  opened  it  to  alk  of  the  Youth  the 
aforefaid  queftion  ;  but  he  had  already  jour- 
neyed thence,  forafmuch  as  the  proud  fpirit 
of  Brother  Elias  was  not  worthy  to  hold 
converfe  with  the  Angel. 

This  done,  Saint  Francis,  to  whom  all 
things  were  revealed  of  God,  returned  from 
the  wood,  and  with  a  loud  voice  reviled 
Brother  Elias,  faying,  "  111  have  you  done, 
O  proud  Brother  Elias,  for  you  have  driven 
hence  from  our  midft  holy  Angels  who 
came  hither  to  counfel  and  inftrucl.  I  tell 
'you  that  I  fear  exceeding  much  left  your 
pride  lead  you  not  forth  at  laft  from  this 
Order."  And  even  fo  it  fell  out,  as  Saint 
Francis  had  faid,  inafmuch  as  he  died  out- 
fide  the  Order. 

In 


Saint  jFrancia  of  &ssfs(.     27 

In  that  fame  day  and  in  the  felfsame 
hour  when  that  Angel  departed  thence,  He 
appeared  in  the  felfsame  form  unto  Brother 
Bernard,  who  was  travelling  back  from  St. 
James,  and  ftood  on  the  fhores  of  a  vaft 
ftream,  and  greeted  him  in  his  own  tongue, 
faying,  "  God  grant  you  His  peace,  O  good 
Brother."  And  good  Brother  Bernard, 
marvelling  much,  and  confidering  the  fair 
face  of  the  Youth  and  the  fpeech  of  his  own 
land  with  that  peaceful  greeting  and  joy- 
ous countenance,  he  afked  him  :  "  Whence 
come  you,  good  Youth  ? "  The  Angel  an- 
fwering  faid,  "I  come  from  that  fame  place 
where  dwells  Saint  Francis,  and  I  travelled 
thither  to  have  fpeech  of  him  ;  but  I  could 
not,  he  being  in  the  thick  woods  loft  in 
contemplation  of  things  divine,  and  I  was 
loath  to  vex  him.  And  in  that  fame  place 
dwell  alfo  Brother  Maximus  and  Brother 
Guy  and  Brother  Elias  ;  and  Brother  Max- 
imus bade  me  knock  at  the  gate  like  unto 
a  Friar ;  but  Brother  Elias,  although  at 
firft  he  would  not  anfwer  me  concerning 
the  queftion  which  I  put  to  him,  yet  after 
did  repent  him  fore  and  would  fain  have 
heard  me  and  feen  me  and  he  could  not." 
After  thefe  words  the  Angel  fpake  to 

Brother 


28        Efie  Hittlr  jFlotorrs  of 


Brother  Bernard,  faying,  "Why  crofs  you 
not  over  yonder  ftream  ?  "  Brother  Ber- 
nard made  anfwer  :  "  Forafmuch  as  I  fear 
the  dangers  of  the  deep  waters  which  I 
fee."  The  Angel  faid,  "  We  will  pafs  over 
together,  nothing  doubting."  And  He  took 
his  hand,  and  in  the  twinkling  of  an  eye  He 
put  him  on  the  farther  fide  of  the  ftream. 
Then  Brother  Bernard  knew  that  this  was 
the  Angel  of  the  Lord,  and  with  great  awe 
and  gladnefs  he  cried  aloud,  "  O  bleffed 
Angel  of  the  Lord,  declare  unto  me  your 
name."  The  Angel  anfwered  and  faid, 
"  Why  alk  you  me  my  name,  which  is 
Wonderful  ?  "  And  faying  this  the  Angel 
vanifhed,  leaving  Brother  Bernard  much 
comforted,  infomuch  fo  that  he  travelled  all 
his  road  with  great  rejoicing  ;  and  he  was 
mindful  of  the  day  and  the  hour  in  which 
the  Angel  had  appeared  unto  him.  And 
coming  unto  that  place  where  Saint  Fran- 
cis abode  with  his  chofen  Companions,  he 
told  them  all  in  due  order  ;  and  he  knew 
for  a  certainty  that  that  fame  Angel  in  the 
felfsame  day  and  hour  had  appeared  to 
him  and  them. 


.Saint  jpvaucts  oC  Assist.      29 


CHAPTER  V. 

Saint,  Brother  Bernard  of  Ajffift,  was 
defpatched  by  Saint  Francis  to  Bologna,  and 
there  took  up  his  Abode. 

TNASMUCH  as  Saint  Francis  and  his 
-L  companions  were  called  of  God  and 
chofen  to  bear  in  their  hearts  and  in  their 
lives,  and  to  preach  with  their  tongues,  the 
Crofs  of  Chrift,  they  both  feemed  and  were 
men  who  crucified  the  flefh,  alike  in  their 
habit  and  in  their  auftere  life,  alike  in  their 
every  act  and  deed ;  and  neverthelefs  they 
defired  the  rather  to  endure  fhame  and 
opprobrium  for  the  love  of  Chrift  than  to 
receive  worldly  honors,  or  reverence,  or  the 
praife  of  men  :  thus  injuries  rejoiced  them 
and  honors  afflicted  them  ;  and  thus  they 
paffed  through  the  world  as  Pilgrims  and 
Strangers,  bearing  with  them  nought  fave 
Chrift  Crucified  ;  and  yet  they  were  the 
true  Vine,  which  is  Chrift,  bringing  forth 
great  and  good  fpiritual  fruit,  which  they 
garnered  in  for  God.  It  happened  in  the 
firft  days  of  the  Order  that  Saint  Francis 
fent  Brother  Bernard  forth  to  Bologna,  to 

the 


30        STfje  ILtttlr  jflotoers  of 

the  end  that  there  he  might  bear  fruit  unto 
God,  according  to  the  grace  given  him  of 
Our  Lord  ;  and  Brother  Bernard,  making  the 
fign  of  the  moft  Holy  Crofs,  and  mindful  of 
his  facred  vow  of  obedience,  departed  thence 
and  came  unto  Bologna ;  and  the  children,  fee- 
inghim  in  worn  and  tattered  raiment,  mocked 
at  him  and  reviled  him  as  they  might  have 
any  clown  ;  and  Brother  Bernard  patiently 
and  cheerfully  bore  all  things  for  the  love 
of  Jefus  Chrift ;  nay,  rather  that  the  more 
he  might  be  chaftened,  ftudioufly  did  feat 
himfelf  in  the  market-place,  where  fitting, 
there  foon  flocked  round  about  him  many 
boys  and  men,  who  pulled  him  by  the  cowl, 
fome  before  and  fome  behind,  fome  caft  duft 
upon  him  and  fome  flones,  fome  thruft  and 
fhoved  him  here  and  fome  there ;  and  Brother 
Bernard  bore  all  things  with  patience  and 
meeknefs,  and  with  a  fmiling  face,  murmur- 
ing not,  neither  complaining ;  and,  more- 
over, often  he  returned  to  that  fame  place 
folely  to  fuffer  fimilar  things  for  the  good 
of  his  Soul.  And  albeit  Patience  have  her 
perfect  work  and  be  a  token  of  Virtue,  a 
learned  doclor  of  laws,  feeing  and  confider- 
ing  fo  much  conflancy  and  valor  in  Brother 
Bernard,  fuffering  for  fo  many  days  unmoved 

by 


Saint  jFrancis  of  &asfsu     31 

by  any  blows  or  pinches,  faid  to  himfelf, 
"Verily,  it  cannot  be  but  that  is  a  holy 
man ; "  and  drawing  near  to  him,  he  quef- 
tioned  him  thus :  "  Who  art  thou,  and 
wherefore  haft  thou  come  hither?"  And 
Brother  Bernard  for  all  anfwer  put  his  hand 
into  his  bofom  and  drew  forth  the  Rule  of 
Saint  Francis,  and  gave  it  to  him  that  he 
might  read ;  and  having  read,  confidering 
his  extreme  ftate  of  Perfection,  with  the 
utmoft  wonder  and  admiration  he  turned 
to  his  companions  and  faid,  "Verily,  this 
is  the  moft  high  ftate  of  religion  of  which 
I  have  heard  ;  and  this  man  and  his  com- 
panions are  the  moft  holy  men  in  all  the 
earth,  and  he  who  harms  the  leaft  among 
them  is  guilty  of  a  very  grievous  fin  ;  for 
every  man  among  them  fhould  be  held  in 
high  honor,  inafmuch  as  he  is  the  true 
friend  of  God."  And  he  fpake  to  Brother 
Bernard,  faying,  "  If  you  will  abide  among 
us,  where  you  may  ferve  God  acceptably, 
I  for  the  falvation  of  my  foul  will  joyfully 
give  you  an  abiding-place."  Brother  Ber- 
nard made  anfwer :  "  Sir,  methinks  your 
words  are  infpired  of  Our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  ; 
and  I  cheerfully  accept  this  your  offer,  to 
the  honor  and  glory  of  Chrift."  Then  the 

faid 


32        fflTfje  afttU  jHotoera  of 

faid  Judge  with  great  joy  and  lovingkindnefs 
led  Brother  Bernard  to  his  houfe,  and  there 
beftowed  upon  him  the  promifed  lodging, 
and  fet  it  in  order,  and  provided  for  all  his 
cofts  ;  and  fhortly  after  he  himfelf  became 
a  Father,  and  the  efpecial  ally  and  cham- 
pion of  Brother  Bernard  and  of  his  com- 
panions. And  Brother  Bernard,  for  this 
his  holy  converfion,  began  to  be  much 
honored  of  all  men,  infomuch  that  they 
who  might  touch  the  hem  of  his  garments, 
or  could  but  look  upon  him,  held  them- 
felves  bleft ;  but  he,  as  a  true  difciple  of 
Chrift,  and  of  the  meek  and  lowly  Francis, 
fearing  left  worldly  honors  mould  mar  the 
peace  and  fafety  of  his  foul,  departed 
thence  one  day  and  returned  to  Saint 
Francis  and  fpake  thefe  words :  "  Father, 
an  abiding-place  is  found  in  the  city  of 
Bologna  :  I  prithee  fend  thither  Brothers 
who  may  maintain  it,  and  let  them  fojourn 
there,  forafmuch  as  I  no  longer  profit  you 
aught  in  that  fpot ;  indeed,  for  the  exceed- 
ing honor  which  is  paid  me  I  fear  left  I 
lofe  more  than  I  gain."  Then  Saint  Fran- 
cis, hearing  all  things  in  due  order,  how 
Our  Lord  had  wrought  a  great  work  through 
Brother  Bernard,  praifed  and  thanked  God, 

Who 


of  Assist.     33 

Who  thus  deigned  to  increafe  the  number 
of  poor  followers  of  the  Crofs  :  and  then 
he  fent  forth  his  Companions  into  Bologna 
and  into  Lombardy,  who  acquired  much 
land  in  many  places. 


CHAPTER   VI. 

How  Saint  Francis  blejjfed  Brother  Bernard, 
and  made  him  his  Vicar  when  he  came  to  pafs 
away  from  this  Life. 

SO  great  was  the  fanclity  of  Brother  Ber- 
nard, that  Saint  Francis  reverenced 
him  much,  and  many  times  did  praife  him. 
Saint  Francis  once  being  devoutly  rapt  in 
prayer,  it  was  revealed  to  him  of  God  that 
Brother  Bernard  was  by  Divine  Leave  to 
fuftain  many  and  valiant  battles  with  the 
demons;  hence  Saint  Francis,  having  ex- 
ceeding great  compaffion  upon  the  faid 
Brother  Bernard,  whom  he  loved  as  he  were 
his  own  fon,  he  prayed  many  days  with  tears, 
entreating  God  for  him,  and  recommending 
him  to  Chrift  Jefus,  that  he  might  give 
him  victory  over  the  demon.  And  Saint 
Francis,  praying  thus  devoutly,  God  one 
day  made  anfwer  unto  him  :  "  Francis,  fear 

not; 


34        &t)*  2-tttle  JFlotoers  of 

not ;  forafmuch  as  all  the  temptations  by 
which  Brother  Bernard  is  to  be  affailed 
are  allowed  of  God  as  a  teft  of  his  valor 
and  a  Crown  of  Glory,  and  finally  he  fhall 
triumph  over  all  his  enemies,  forafmuch  as 
he  is  one  of  the  CommifTaries  of  the  kingdom 
of  Heaven."  At  the  which  anfwer  Saint 
Francis  rejoiced  greatly,  and  praifed  the 
Lord  ;  and  from  that  time  forth  his  love  and 
reverence  waxed  ever  greater.  And  well  he 
proved  them,  not  only  in  his  life,  but  alfo 
in  his  death.  Forafmuch  as  Saint  Fran- 
cis, being  about  to  die,  even  as  that  holy 
Patriarch  Jacob,  his  mourning  fons  ftanding 
about  him  devoutly,  weeping  at  the  de- 
parture of  fo  amiable  a  father,  he  afked 
them,  "  Where  is  my  Firilborn  ?  Come 
hither  to  me,  my  Son,  that  my  Soul  may 
blefs  thee  before  I  die."  Then  Brother 
Bernard  faid  privily  to  Brother  Elias,  who 
was  the  Vicar  of  the  Order,  "  Father,  go 
thou  to  the  right  hand  of  the  Saint,  that 
he  may  blefs  thee."  And  Brother  Elias, 
placing  himfelf  upon  his  right  hand,  Saint 
Francis,  who  had  loft  his  fight  by  reafon  of 
his  many  tears,  laid  his  right  hand  upon 
the  head  of  Brother  Elias  and  faid,  "  This 
is  not  the  head  of  my  firftborn  fon,  Brother 

Bernard 


Saint  jFcancts  of  Assist.     35 

Bernard."  Then  Brother  Bernard  went  and 
ftood  by  his  left  hand  ;  and  Saint  Francis 
ftretching  forth  his  arms  in  the  form  of 
a  Crofs,  laid  his  right  hand  upon  the 
head  of  Brother  Bernard  and  his  left  hand 
upon  the  head  of  that  fame  Brother  Elias, 
and  faid  to  Brother  Bernard :  "  May  God 
the  Father  and  Our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  blefs 
thee  with  every  fpiritual  blefling,  and  may 
Chrift  grant  thee  all  celeftial  bleflings,  even 
as  thou  art  the  Firftborn,  chofen  into  this 
Holy  Order  to  give  a  godly  example,  to 
follow  Chrift  in  Chriftian  poverty ;  inaf- 
much  as  thou  haft  given  not  only  all  that 
which  was  thine,  dividing  it  wholly  and 
freely  among  the  poor  for  the  love  of 
Chrift,  but  alfo  haft  given  thyfelf  a  free-will 
offering  unto  God  in  this  Order,  a  facrifice 
pleafing  in  His  fight.  Receive,  therefore, 
the  blefling  of  Our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  and  of 
me,  His  poor  fervant,  bleflings  everlafting, 
whether  walking,  ftanding,  waking,  fleep- 
ing,  living,  or  dying ;  and  all  who  mall 
blefs  thee  ftiall  themfelves  be  filled  with 
blefling.  They  who  curfe  thee  mail  not 
go  unpunifhed.  Thou  art  chief  among  all 
thy  Brethren,  and  all  the  Brothers  fhall  bow 
to  thy  will.  Thou  haft  my  leave  to  receive 

into 


36        STije  lltttle  jHotoers  of 

into  the  Order  whomfoever  thou  wilt ;  and 
no  Brother  mall  have  fupremacy  over  thee, 
and  thou  art  free  to  come  and  go  whither- 
foever  thou  wilt."  And  after  the  death  of 
Saint  Francis  the  Brethren  loved  and  re- 
vered Brother  Bernard  as  a  venerable  Fa- 
ther ;  and  he,  coming  to  die,  many  Brothers 
gathered  about  him  from  all  quarters  of 
the  globe,  among  them  being  that  divine 
hierarch  Brother  Guy,  who,  seeing  Brother 
Bernard,  cried  aloud,  with  great  gladnefs, 
"Lift  up  your  heart,  Brother  Bernard;  lift 
up  your  heart"  And  Brother  Bernard 
bade  one  of  the  Brethren  privily  that  he 
fhould  prepare  a  place  meet  for  contempla- 
tion for  Brother  Guy ;  and  fo  it  was  done. 
Brother  Bernard,  being  at  the  laft  hour  of 
his  death,  bade  his  Brethren  lift  him  up, 
and  fpake  to  fuch  of  them  as  were  there 
prefent,  faying :  "  My  beloved  Brethren,  I 
have  not  many  words  to  fpeak  to  you.  But 
you  muft  be  mindful  that  that  degree  of 
Religion  which  I  have  had  you  have  at 
this  prefent,  and  unto  that  which  I  now 
enjoy,  you  mail  yet  attain  ;  and  I  tell  you 
from  my  foul  of  fouls  that  I  would  not 
for  a  thoufand  Worlds  like  unto  this  have 
ferved  other  Lord  than  Our  Lord  Jefus 

Chrift. 


Saint  jFtancts  of  BlnniBl.     37 

Chrift.  And  for  every  offence  that  I  have 
committed  I  confefs  myfelf  guilty,  and  ac- 
cufe  myfelf  before  my  Saviour  Jefus  and 
before  you.  I  befeech  you,  my  deareft 
Brethren,  love  one  another."  And  after 
thefe  words,  and  other  wholefome  teach- 
ings, he  laid  himfelf  down  upon  his  bed, 
his  face  fhone  with  joy  and  fplendor  fo 
exceeding  that  all  the  Brothers  marvelled 
greatly,  and  in  that  rapture  his  moft  faintly 
foul,  crowned  with  glory,  pafled  from  this 
prefent  life  into  the  bleffed  life  of  the 
angels. 

CHAPTER    VII. 

How  Saint  Francis  fafted  forty  Days  and  forty 
Nights  in  an  IJland  of  the  Lake  of  Perugia, 
eating  no  more  but  half  a  Loaf. 

'T~"*HAT    true    fervant   of    Chrift,    Saint 
-L       Francis,    being    in    certain    things 
almoft  another  Chrift,  fent  into  the  world 
to   fave   the    nations,   Our    Lord  and   Fa- 
ther God  defired    to  make   him  in   many 
a<5ts  conformable  and  like   unto  His  Son 
Jefus   Chrift ;    even   as    we   have   feen   in 
the  venerable  College  of  the  twelve  Com- 
panions, 


38        STije  SLittle  jFlotoers  of 

panions,  and  in  the  admirable  Myftery  of 
the  Sacred  Stigmata,  and  in  the  Faft  lafting 
throughout  the  whole  term  of  Lent,  which 
took  place  after  this  manner :  Saint  Fran- 
cis being  once,  upon  the  laft  day  of  the 
Carnival,  befide  the  Lake  of  Perugia  in  the 
houfe  of  one  of  his  devout  followers,  with 
whom  he  had  tarried  for  a  night,  he  was 
infpired  of  God  that  he  mould  proceed  to 
keep  his  faft  in  an  Ifland  of  that  lake ; 
wherefore  Saint  Francis  prayed  this  his  fol- 
lower that  for  the  love  of  Chrift  he  would 
bear  him  over  in  his  boat  unto  an  Ifland 
of  the  lake  where  no  man  abode ;  this  he 
fhould  do  upon  the  night  of  Afh  Wednef- 
day,  in  fuch  manner  that  they  might  be 
feen  of  none ;  and  he  for  love  of  the 
great  devotion  which  he  felt  for  Saint 
Francis  faithfully  did  his  beheft,  and  bare 
him  over  to  the  Ifland :  and  Saint  Francis 
took  nothing  with  him  fave  two  fmall 
loaves.  And  having  come  to  the  Ifland, 
and  his  friend  departing  thence  to  return 
to  his  houfe,  Saint  Francis  charged  him 
by  the  love  which  he  bare  him  that  he 
fhould  reveal  to  no  man  where  he  did  lie, 
and  that  he  fhould  not  journey  back  to 
fetch  him  fooner  than  Maundy-Thurfday ; 

and 


jfrancis  of  &sst8f.     39 

and  thus  they  parted.  And  Saint  Francis 
abode  there  alone ;  and  there  being  no 
habitation  wherein  he  might  find  fhelter, 
he  entered  into  a  thick  wood  wherein  many 
thorns  and  brambles  and  little  bufties  had 
formed  a  den  or  burrow,  and  herein  he  fell 
to  praying  and  to  mufing  upon  celeftial 
things.  And  herein  he  flayed  during  the 
whole  fpace  of  Lent,  eating  not,  neither 
drinking  aught,  fave  the  half  of  one  of 
thofe  fmall  loaves,  according  as  his  faith- 
ful follower  found  him  when  he  croffed 
over  to  him  on  Maundy-Thurfday ;  the 
which  found  of  two  fmall  loaves  one  en- 
tire, and  of  the  other  half;  it  is  believed 
that  Saint  Francis  did  partake  out  of  rever- 
ence for  the  fading  of  the  bleffed  Chrift, 
Who  fafted  forty  days  and  forty  nights,  par- 
taking of  no  bodily  food  ;  and  thus  with 
that  half  loaf  he  drove  far  from  him  the 
venom  of  Vainglory,  and  following  after 
Chrift  fafted  forty  days  and  forty  nights. 
And  then  in  that  place  where  Francis  did 
fuch  marvellous  feats  of  abftinence  God 
the  Lord  wrought  many  miracles  through 
his  merits  :  for  the  which  thing  men  began 
to  build  houfes  there  and  to  dwell  there  ; 
and  in  a  brief  fpace  a  Caftle  good  and  great 

ftood 


40        STfje  Etttlc  jFlotoers  of 

flood  therein,  and  this  was  the  home  of  the 
Brethren,  and  it  was  called  by  the  name 
of  the  Ifland ;  and  even  unto  this  prefent 
time  the  men  and  the  women  of  that  Caftle 
difplay  great  reverence  and  devotion  upon 
that  fpot  where  Saint  Francis  fafted  as  has 
been  here  fet  forth. 


CHAPTER    VIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  and  Brother  Leo,  as  they 
journeyed,  difcourfed  of  Per/eft  Blifs. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  once  journeying  from 
Perugia  to  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels 
with  Brother  Leo  in  winter  time,  and  the 
very  great  cold  pinching  him  fore,  he  called 
aloud  to  Brother  Leo,  who  walked  before, 
and  faid  thus  :  "  Brother  Leo,  although  the 
Gray  Friars  in  every  place  fet  a  good  ex- 
ample of  fanclity  and  of  godly  leffons, 
neverthelefs  I  defire  you  to  write  down  and 
diligently  to  note  that  they  know  not  per- 
fect blifs."  And  Saint  Francis  journeying 
yet  farther,  a  fecond  time  he  called  aloud, 
"  O  Brother  Leo,  albeit  the  Gray  Friar  be 
eyes  to  the  blind,  deliver  men  from  evil, 
drive  out  demons,  be  ears  to  the  deaf,  and 

feet 


.Saint  jFrancis  of  assist'.     41 

feet  to  the  lame,  a  tongue  to  the  dumb,  and 
what  is  yet  more  do  reftore  the  dead  to  life 
within  the  fpace  of  four  days,  yet  write  that 
he  knows  not  perfect  blifs."  And  journey- 
ing yet  a  little  farther,  he  cried  with  a 
loud  voice,  "  O  Brother  Leo,  if  the  Gray 
Friar  know  all  tongues,  all  knowledge, 
and  all  the  Scriptures  in  fuch  fafhion  that 
he  may  prophefy  and  reveal  not  alone 
the  things  of  the  future,  but  even  alfo  the 
fecrets  of  all  confciences  and  of  all  fouls, 
ftill  I  bid  thee  write,  herein  lies  not  perfect 
blifs."  Going  yet  a  little  farther,  Saint 
Francis  called  aloud  yet  once  again :  "  O 
Brother  Leo,  Lamb  of  God,  even  though  the 
Gray  Friar  fpeak  with  the  tongues  of  men 
and  of  angels,  and  know  the  courfe  of  the 
ftars  and  the  virtues  of  all  herbs,  and  were 
all  the  treafures  of  the  earth  laid  bare  to 
him,  and  did  he  know  the  virtues  of  birds 
and  fifties,  and  of  all  animals  and  of  men 
and  of  trees  and  of  ftones  and  of  roots 
and  of  waters,  ftill  write  that  herein  lies 
not  perfect  blifs."  And  journeying  yet  a 
little  fpace  Saint  Francis  cried  aloud  :  "  O 
Brother  Leo,  even  could  the  Gray  Friar 
preach  fo  well  as  that  he  fhould  turn  all 
infidels  to  the  faith  of  Chrift,  yet  write, 

herein 


42        STije  Hfttle  JFlotoers  of 

herein  lies  not  perfect  blifs."  And  this  dif- 
courfe  enduring  for  full  two  miles,  Brother 
Leo  with  amazement  alked  him,  faying, 
"Father,  I  pray  thee,  for  God's  fake,  that 
thou  wilt  tell  me  where  may  perfect  blifs 
be  found  ? "  And  Saint  Francis  made 
anfwer  thus  :  "  When  we  fhall  have  come 
unto  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels,  dripping 
with  rain  and  frozen  with  cold  and  be- 
fpattered  with  mud  and  tormented  fore 
with  hunger,  and  fhall  knock  at  the  door 
of  that  place,  and  the  porter  fhall  look 
forth  in  wrath,  and  fhall  fay,  'Who  are 
ye  ? '  and  we  fhall  fay,  '  We  be  two  of  your 
Brethren  ; '  and  he  fhall  fay,  '  You  fpeak 
not  truly ;  forfooth  you  are  two  ribald 
knaves  who  go  about  deceiving  folk  and 
ftealing  alms  from  the  poor,  get  you  gone!' 
and  he  fhall  not  open  unto  us,  and  fhall 
leave  us  ftanding  without  in  the  fnow  and 
the  wet  with  cold  and  hunger  even  till 
the  fall  of  night ;  then  if  we  fhall  patiently 
endure  fuch  great  injuftice  and  cruelty  and 
villanous  rebuffs  without  peevifhnefs  or 
turbulence,  murmuring  not  againft  him, 
and  fhall  think  humbly  and  charitably  that 
verily  that  doorkeeper  reads  us  aright,  that 
our  Lord  hath  bade  him  revile  us  and 

fpeak 


<Safnt  jfrancte  of  Assist,     43 

Ipeak  againft  us,  then,  O  Brother  Leo,  mayft 
thou  write,  herein  lies  perfect  blifs.  And 
if  we  fhall  perfevere  our  knocking,  and  he 
ihall  come  forth  in  his  wrath  and  drive  us 
thence  as  rafcals,  with  ftripes  and  revilings, 
faying,  '  Get  you  hence,  vileft  thieves,  get 
you  to  the  hofpital,  for  here  you  fhall  not 
abide,  neither  fhall  you  eat, —  if  we  fhall 
endure  the  fame  meekly  and  with  rejoic- 
ing and  love,  O  Brother  Leo,  then  mayft 
thou  write  that  herein  lies  perfect  blifs. 
And  if  we,  urged  by  hunger  and  cold  and 
by  the  darknefs,  fhall  ftill  perfift  our  knock- 
ing and  fhall  cry  aloud  and  entreat  him  for 
the  love  of  God  with  much  weeping  and 
wailing  that  he  will  open  and  let  us  in, 
and  he,  fcandalized  yet  more,  fhall  fay, 
'  Thefe  are  importunate  knaves,  I  will 
chaftife  them  as  is  meet ;  and  fhall  come 
forth  with  a  knotty  ftaff,  and  fhall  feize  us 
by  the  hair  of  the  head  and  caft  us  to  the 
ground,  and  roll  us  in  the  fnow,  and  beat 
us  knot  by  knot  with  that  fame  ftaff, —  if 
all  thefe  things  patiently  and  cheerfully  we 
do  endure,  thinking  upon  the  fufferings  of 
the  bleffed  Chrift,  which  greatly  are  we 
bounden  to  fuffer  for  His  fake,  O  Brother 
Leo,  then  mayft  thou  write  that  herein  and 

in 


44        &!)*  ^Little  jFlotoers  of 

in  this  lies  perfect  blifs.  And  yet  hearken 
unto  the  end,  Brother  Leo.  Beyond  all  the 
graces  and  gifts  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  which 
Chrift  has  granted  unto  His  faithful  friends, 
is  victory  over  felf,  and  power  for  love  of 
Chrift  to  fuffer  pain  and  infult,  poverty 
and  difgrace  ;  forafmuch  as  in  all  the  other 
gifts  of  God  we  can  take  no  pride,  they 
being  not  our  own  but  of  God.  Hence 
the  Apoftle  faith,  '  What  have  ye  which  is 
not  of  God  ?  And  if  it  be  of  Him,  where- 
fore do  ye  glory  in  it,  as  if  ye  had  it  of  your 
own  felves  ? '  But  in  the  crofs  of  forrow 
and  grief  we  may  glory,  inafmuch  as  the 
Apoftle  faith,  'God  forbid  that  I  fhould 
glory,  fave  in  the  crofs  of  Chrift.'" 


CHAPTER    IX. 

How  Saint  Francis  taught  Brother  Leo  to  make 
Anfwer  unto  Him  :  and  He  could  never  Speak 
fave  the  Contrary  of  that  which  Saint  Francis 
Willed. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  being  once,  in  the 
firft  days  of  the  Order,  with  Brother 
Leo  in  a  place  where  they  had  no  books  to  fay 
the  divine  offices,  when  the  hour  for  Matins 

was 


.Saint  jfrratuis  of  Assist.     45 

was  at  hand,  Saint  Francis  faid  to  Brother 
Leo  :  "  My  beloved,  we  have  no  breviary 
from  which  to  fay  Matins,  but  in  order  that 
we  may  fpend  the  time  duly  in  praifing 
God,  I  will  recite  and  do  you  refpond  as 
I  fhall  teach  you  ;  and  beware  left  you 
change  the  words  diverfely  from  that  which 
I  fhall  teach  you.  I  will  fay  thus :  '  O 
Brother  Francis,  fo  much  evil  haft  thou 
done,  and  fo  many  fins  haft  thou  commit- 
ted in  this  world,  that  thou  art  worthy  of 
Hell-fire.'  And  you,  Brother  Leo,  muft  re- 
fpond :  '  Verily,  verily  thou  art  deferving  of 
the  hotteft  fires  of  Hell.'"  And  Brother 
Leo,  with  the  fimplicity  of  the  dove,  re- 
plied, "I  am  ready,  Father;  begin,  in  the 
name  of  God."  Then  Saint  Francis  began 
to  fay,  "O  Brother  Francis,  fo  much  evil 
haft  thou  done,  and  fo  many  fins  haft  thou 
committed  in  this  world,  that  thou  art 
worthy  of  Hell-fire."  And  Brother  Leo 
replied,  "  The  Lord  fhall  work  for  thee 
fuch  miracles  that  thou  fhalt  go  ftraight  to 
Paradife."  Then  faid  Saint  Francis,  "  Say 
not  fo,  Brother  Leo  ;  but  when  I  fay, 
'  Brother  Francis,  thou  haft  finned  griev- 
oufly  againft  God,  and  art  worthy  to  be 
curfed  of  God,'  you  muft  make  anfwer  thus : 

'Verily 


46        &ije  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

'  Verily,  verily  thou  art  worthy  of  a  place 
among  the  Accurfed.'"  And  Brother  Leo 
replied,  "I  am  ready,  Father."  Then  Saint 
Francis,  with  many  tears  and  groans  and 
much  beating  of  his  breaft,  cried  aloud, 
"  O  Lord  my  God,  Lord  of  heaven  and  of 
earth,  I  have  committed  fuch  fins  againft 
Thee,  and  fuch  iniquities,  that  I  am  worthy 
to  be  curfed  of  Thee."  And  Brother  Leo 
made  anfwer,  "  O  Brother  Francis,  God  mail 
do  fuch  things  for  thee  that  thou  fhalt  be 
fmgularly  bleffed  among  the  bleffed."  And 
Saint  Francis  marvelling  that  Brother  Leo 
anfwered  ever  the  contrary  of  that  which 
he  had  charged  him,  elfayed  once  more, 
faying,  "  Why  anfwer  you  not  as  I  bid  you  ? 
I  charge  you  by  your  holy  vow  of  obe- 
dience that  you  make  anfwer  as  I  fhall 
direct  you.  I  will  fay  thus :  '  O  wretched 
Brother  Francis,  doft  thou  think  that  God 
will  have  mercy  upon  thee,  who  haft  com- 
mitted fuch  great  fins  againft  the  Father  of 
all  Mercies  and  the  God  of  Confolation  that 
thou  art  no  more  worthy  to  find  favor  in 
His  fight  ? '  And  you,  Brother  Leo,  fheep 
of  my  flock,  muft  make  anfwer,  '  In  no 
manner  art  thou  worthy  to  find  favor  in 
His  fight.'"  But  f<?  foon  as  Saint  Francis 

faid, 


.Saint  jFrancts  ot  Assist.     47 

faic,  "  O  wretched  Brother  Francis,"  etc., 
Brother  Leo  replied :  "  Our  Heavenly 
Father,  whofe  mercy  is  infinitely  greater 
than  are  thy  fins,  will  have  mercy  upon 
thee  and  will  pour  His  grace  upon  thee." 
At  this  anfwer  Saint  Francis  was  gently 
enraged  and  meekly  difturbed,  faying  to 
Brother  Leo,  "And  wherefore  do  you  make 
fo  bold  to  act  contrary  to  your  vow  of  obe- 
dience, and  have  fo  many  times  made  an- 
fwer contrary  to  that  which  I  charged  you 
to  fay  ?"  Brother  Leo  replied  very  humbly 
and  reverently,  "  God  the  Lord  knoweth  the 
why  and  the  wherefore,  my  Father,  for  every 
time  I  have  fchooled  my  heart  to  anfwer 
as  you  did  bid  me  ;  but  the  Lord  made 
me  fpeak  as  beft  it  pleafed  Him,  and  not 
according  as  was  pleafing  in  my  fight." 
At  which  thing  Saint  Francis  marvelled, 
and  faid  to  Brother  Leo,  "  I  pray  you  mofb 
lovingly  that  this  time  you  anfwer  me  as  I 
do  bid  you."  Brother  Leo  replied,  "  Say  on, 
in  God's  name,  for  affuredly  I  will  now 
make  anfwer  as  you  would  have  me."  And 
Saint  Francis,  weeping,  faid,  "O  wicked 
Brother  Francis,  dofl  thou  think  that  God 
will  fhow  mercy  unto  thee  ? "  Brother  Leo 
anfwered  him,  faying,  "  Ay,  and  great  grace 

fhalt 


48        ftije  Etttle  jFlotora  of 

fhalt  thou  have  of  God.  He  fhall  exalt  thee, 
and  glorify  thee  in  all  ages,  forafmuch  as 
he  who  humbleth  himfelf  lhall  be  exalted ; 
and  I  can  fpeak  no  otherwife  than  I  do, 
forafmuch  as  God  Himfelf  fpeaks  through 
my  mouth."  And  thus  in  this  humble  ftrife, 
with  many  tears  and  with  much  fpiritual 
confolation,  they  watched  until  day. 


CHAPTER    X. 

How  Brother  Maximus  Mockingly  faid  unto 
Saint  Francis  that  the  World  was  at  his  Feet. 
And  he  made  anfwer  that  this  was  by  the 
Grace  of  God,  and  a  Difgrace  to  the  World. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  fojourning  upon  a 
time  in  the  Convent  of  Portiuncula 
with  Brother  Maximus  of  Marignano,  a  man 
of  much  fanclity,  difcretion,  and  grace  in  dif- 
courling  of  God,  for  the  which  thing  greatly 
did  Saint  Francis  love  him,  one  day  Saint 
Francis  returning  from  the  thick  wood  and 
from  prayer,  and  being  upon  the  outfkirts 
of  that  woody  wild,  that  fame  Brother  Maxi- 
mus, defiring  to  know  whether  his  humility 
were  unfeigned,  went  forth  to  meet  him  by 

the 


.Saint  jFcancts  of  Assist.     49 

the  way,  and  mockingly  cried  out  to  him, 
"  Wherefore  after  thee  ?  Wherefore  after 
thee?  Wherefore  after  thee?"  Saint  Fran- 
cis alked,  "What  fay  you?"  Then  faid 
Brother  Maxim  us,  "  I  fay,  wherefore  fol- 
loweth  the  whole  world  after  thee,  and 
why  doth  every  man  defire  to  fee  and  to 
hear  and  to  obey  thee  ?  Thou  art  not  fair 
to  fee,  thou  haft  no  great  learning,  neither 
art  thou  noble  ;  wherefore,  then,  doth  the 
whole  world  follow  after  thee  ? "  Hearing 
this,  Saint  Francis,  greatly  rejoiced  in  fpirit, 
lifting  his  face  to  Heaven,  ftood  for  a  fpace 
with  his  mind  fixed  on  God,  and  then 
coming  back  to  earth  he  knelt  and  gave 
praife  and  glory  to  God,  and  then  with 
very  fervent  fpirit  he  turned  to  Brother 
Maxim  us  and  faid,  "Would  you  know 
wherefore  men  follow  after  me  ?  Would 
you  know  wherefore  men  follow  after  me  ? 
Would  you  know  wherefore  men  follow 
after  me  ?  This  grace  I  have  from  the 
eyes  of  the  Moft  High  God,  which  in  all 
places  behold  the  godly  and  the  ungodly : 
forafmuch  as  thofe  moft  holy  eyes  never 
yet  beheld  of  fmners  one  more  vile,  nor 
more  inefficient,  nor  a  greater  fmner  than 
am  I ;  nor  yet  to  do  that  marvellous  work 

which 


50       STi)e  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

which  He  willeth  to  accomplilh  has  He 
found  a  viler  creature  upon  earth.  And 
therefore  hath  He  chofen  me,  to  confound 
the  Nobility  and  the  Grandeur  and  the 
Strength  and  the  Beauty  and  the  Wifdom 
of  the  world,  to  the  end  that  it  may  be 
made  known  that  all  Virtue  and  all  Good- 
nefs  are  from  Him  and  not  from  His  crea- 
tures, and  that  none  may  glory  in  his  own 
fight ;  but  that  all  who  glory  may  glory 
in  the  Lord,  unto  whom  be  all  glory  and 
honor  for  ever  and  ever.  Amen."  Then 
Brother  Maximus  at  fo  humble  an  anfwer, 
uttered  with  fuch  fervor,  was  affrighted, 
and  knew  of  a  furety  that  the  humility 
of  Saint  Francis  was  unfeigned. 


CHAPTER    XI. 

How  Saint  Francis  caufed  Brother  Maximus  to 
turn  Himfelf  about,  and  then  departed  unto 
Sienna. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  one  day  journeying 
with  Brother  Maximus,  that  fame  Brother 
Maximus  walking  a  few  paces  before,  and 
coming  unto  a  fpot  where  three  roads  met, 

the 


Saint  jFrancia  of  &sstsi.     51 

the  which  led  to  Florence,  to  Sienna,  and 
to  Arezzo,  Brother  Maximus  fpake  thus : 
"  Father,  which  road  lhall  we  purfue  ? " 
Saint  Francis  made  anfwer,  "  By  that 
which  God  choofeth."  Then  faid  Brother 
Maximus,  "And  how  may  we  know  the 
will  of  God  ?  "  Saint  Francis  replied,  "  By 
that  felfsame  fign  which  I  lhall  fhow  you  ; 
wherefore  I  charge  you  by  the  fruits  of 
holy  obedience  that  at  this  meeting-place 
of  the  roads,  in  the  very  fpot  whereon  your 
feet  now  reft,  you  do  turn  yourfelf  about, 
even  as  do  children,  and  give  not  over 
turning  until  I  do  bid  thee  ceafe."  Forth- 
with Brother  Maximus  began  to  turn  and 
to  twirl  himfelf  round  about ;  and  fo  long 
did  he  turn,  that  at  laft  from  fheer  dizzi- 
nefs,  fuch  as  fuch  twirling  is  wont  to  gener- 
ate, he  fell  often  to  the  ground :  but  Saint 
Francis  not  bidding  him  to  ceafe,  arid  he 
defiring  faithfully  to  obey,  rofe  ever  and 
again  to  his  feet.  Finally,  as  he  turned 
valiantly,  Saint  Francis  cried  out,  "  Stand 
Hill,  and  move  not."  And  he  ftood  ftill, 
and  Saint  Francis  queftioned  him,  fay- 
ing, "  Towards  what  land  do  you  look  ? " 
Brother  Maximus  anfwered,  "  Towards 
Sienna."  Saint  Francis  faid,  "  That  way 

God 


52        STije  mttlr  jFlotoers  of 

God  wills  us  to  go."  Travelling  that  way, 
Brother  Maximus  marvelled  that  Saint 
Francis  had  made  him  do  fuch  things,  even 
as  do  children  at  play,  in  the  fight  of  thofe 
laymen  who  palfed  along  that  road.  Never- 
thelefs,  fo  great  was  his  reverence  that  he 
ventured  not  to  fpeak  to  the  Holy  Father. 
Coming  near  to  Sienna,  the  people  of  that 
city  heard  of  the  coming  of  the  Saint,  and 
went  forth  to  meet  him  ;  and  from  devo- 
tion they  bore  him  and  his  Companion  even 
unto  the  Epifcopal  Palace  in  their  arms,  fo 
that  they  touched  not  earth  with  their  feet. 
In  that  fame  hour  certain  men  of  Sienna 
ftrove  together,  and  two  of  them  already 
lay  dead.  Saint  Francis  being  in  their 
midft,  preached  unto  them  fo  devoutly  and 
fo  holily  that  he  reftored  them  all,  every 
man  among  them,  to  peace  and  great  unity 
and  mutual  concord ;  for  the  which  thing 
the  Bifhop  of  Sienna,  hearing  of  this  holy 
work  which  Saint  Francis  had  wrought, 
invited  him  to  his  own  houfe,  and  received 
him  with  extremeft  honor  that  day  and 
even  for  the  night.  And  the  next  morn- 
ing Saint  Francis,  being  truly  humble, 
feeking  never  any  glory  for  his  works,  fave 
only  the  glory  of  God,  rofe  betimes  with 

his 


Saint  jFrancts  of  &ssisf.     53 

his  Companion  and  departed  unknown  to 
the  Bifhop.  At  which  the  faid  Brother 
Maximus  murmured  within  himfelf  as  he 
journeyed,  faying  as  he  went,  "  What  things 
are  thefe  which  this  good  man  does  ?  He 
makes  me  turn  and  twirl  like  any  filly 
child  ;  and  to  the  Bilhop,  who  has  done 
him  fuch  honor,  he  fpeaks  no  word,  neither 
thanks  him,  and  it  feemeth  to  Brother  Max- 
imus as  if  Saint  Francis  thus  had  borne 
himfelf  indifcreetly."  But  then  by  divine 
infpiration  returning  unto  himfelf,  and 
chiding  himfelf  in  the  filence  of  his  own 
heart,  Brother  Maximus  exclaimed,  "  You 
are  of  too  proud  a  fpirit,  you  who  dare  to 
condemn  divine  works,  and  you  are  worthy 
of  Hell-fire  for  your  foolifh  pride ;  inaf- 
much  as  Saint  Francis  in  the  day  of  yefter- 
day  performed  fuch  holy  deeds,  that  had 
they  been  done  by  an  Angel  of  God  they 
could  not  have  been  more  marvellous. 
Hence,  if  he  command  you  to  dafh  your- 
felf  againft  a  rock,  you  fhould  obey  him 
and  do  fo  ;  for  thofe  things  which  he  has 
done  upon  this  pilgrimage  proceed  from 
Divine  Action,  as  is  fet  forth  by  the  good 
refult  which  followed  after  them  ;  foraf- 
much  as  if  he  had  not  pacified  thofe  who 

ftrove 


54        £*)*  2-ittle  JFlotoers  of 

ftrove  together,  not  only  many  bodies,  as 
already  there  began  to  be  feen,  would  have 
perifhed  by  the  knife,  but  even  alfo  many 
fouls  would  the  Devil  have  dragged  down 
into  Hell ;  and  yet  you,  vain  and  filly  that 
you  are,  murmur  at  that  which  manifeftly 
proceedeth  from  the  will  of  God."  And,  all 
thefe  things  which  Brother  Maximus  fpake 
within  his  own  heart  were  ftraightway  re- 
vealed of  God  to  Saint  Francis.  Whence 
Saint  Francis  drawing  near  to  him  fpake 
thefe  words  :  "  Abide  by  thofe  things  on 
which  you  now  mufe,  forafmuch  as  they  are 
good  and  ufeful,  and  infpired  of  God  ;  but 
the  firft  complaints  which  you  uttered  were 
blind  and  vain  and  arrogant,  and  inftilled 
into  your  mind  of  the  Devil."  Then 
Brother  Maximus  faw  clearly  that  Saint 
Francis  knew  the  fecrets  of  his  heart,  and 
knew  for  a  furety  that  the  Spirit  of  Divine 
Wifdom  guided  the  Holy  Father  in  his 
every  action. 


.Saint  Jfraucts  of  3sm'si.      55 


CHAPTER    XII. 

How  Saint  Francis  be/lowed  on  Brother  Maxi- 
mus  the  Offices  of  Gate-Keeper,  Almoner,  and 
Cook  :  then  at  the  Prayer  of  the  other  Broth- 
ers deprived  him  of  them. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  wiming  to  mortify 
Brother  Maximus,  to  the  end  that 
the  many  gifts  and  graces  which  God  had 
given  him  might  not  make  him  Vainglori- 
ous, but  that  by  virtue  of  Humility  he  might 
grow  with  them  from  virtue  to  virtue,  upon 
a  time  when  he  dwelt  in  a  folitary  place 
with  thofe  his  firft  companions,  very  Saints, 
of  whom  was  the  faid  Brother  Maximus, 
fpake  one  day  to  Brother  Maximus  before 
all  his  companions  :  "  O  Brother  Maximus, 
all  thefe  your  companions  have  the  grace  of 
contemplation  and  of  prayer,  but  you  have 
the  grace  to  preach  the  word  of  God  to  the 
fatisfaclion  of  the  people ;  and  hence  I  de- 
fire,  to  the  end  that  they  may  apply  them- 
felves  to  contemplation,  that  you  do  take 
upon  yourfelf  the  offices  of  Door-keeper,  of 
Almoner,  and  Cook.  And  when  the  other 
Brothers  do  eat,  you  mall  eat  without  the 

convent 


56        STIje  Utttle  jFlotonrs  of 

convent  gate  ;  to  the  end  that  thofe  who 
come  hither,  before  they  knock  you  may 
fatisfy  them  with  certain  goodly  words  from 
God ;  fo  that  there  be  no  need  for  any  to  iff ue 
forth  but  only  you  ;  and  this  do  through 
the  fruits  of  holy  obedience."  Thereupon 
Brother  Maximus  drew  on  his  cowl,  and 
bowed  his  head,  and  humbly  received  and 
continued  to  obey  this  charge  for  many 
days,  filling  the  offices  of  Door-keeper,  of 
Almoner,  and  of  Cook.  Whence  his  Com- 
panions, like  men  illumined  of  God,  began 
to  feel  great  remorfe  within  their  hearts, 
confidering  that  Brother  Maximus  was  a 
man  of  exceeding  great  Perfeclnefs,  like 
unto  themfelves  or  yet  more,  and  upon  him 
refted  all  the  burden  of  the  Convent  and 
not  on  them.  For  the  which  thing  they 
were  all  moved  with  one  accord,  and  went 
in  and  prayed  the  Holy  Father  that  it  might 
pleafe  him  to  diftribute  thofe  offices  among 
them;  forafmuch  as  their  confciences  could 
in  no  manner  endure  that  Brother  Maximus 
Ihould  undergo  fuch  toil.  Hearing  this, 
Saint  Francis  yielded  to  their  counfels  and 
confented  to  their  wifh,  and  calling  Brother 
Maximus,  faid  to  him,  "  Brother  Maximus, 
your  companions  defire  to  fhare  in  thofe 

offices 


jFrancte  of  Assist.      57 

offices  which  I  have  beftowed  upon  you  ; 
and  therefore  I  defire  that  the  faid  offices 
may  be  divided."  Brother  Maximus  faid 
with  great  Patience  and  Meeknefs,  "  Father, 
the  burden  which  you  lay  upon  me,  be  it 
all  or  but  a  part,  I  hold  it  as  the  work  of 
God  alone."  Then  Saint  Francis,  feeing 
the  Loving-kindnefs  of  thofe  brothers  and 
the  humility  of  Brother  Maximus,  preached 
them  a  marvellous  fermon  upon  the  mod 
faintly  quality  of  Humility ;  teaching  them 
that  the  greater  are  the  gifts  and  the  graces 
beftowed  upon  us  by  God,  fo  much  the 
more  humble  fhould  we  be,  forafmuch  as 
without  Humility  no  virtue  is  acceptable 
in  God's  fight.  And  the  Sermon  ended, 
he  diftributed  the  Offices  with  the  utmoft 
Affection. 


58        STfjf  mttU  jFlotoers  of 


CHAPTER    XIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  and  Brother  Maximus  laid 
the  Bread  which  they  had  begged  upon  a  Stone 
bejlde  a  Well,  and  Saint  Francis  loudly  praifed 
Poverty.  Then  He  prayed  unto  God  and  Saint 
Peter  and  Saint  Paul  that  they  might  en- 
amour Him  of  divine  Poverty  ;  and  how  Saint 
Peter  and  Saint  Paul  appeared  unto  Him. 

r  I  "'HAT  wondrous  fervant  and  follower 
-I-  of  Chrift,  which  is  Saint  Francis, 
defiring  to  conform  himfelf  perfectly  unto 
Chrift  in  all  things,  who,  as  the  Gofpel  tells 
us,  fent  out  his  Difciples  two  by  two  into 
all  thofe  cities  and  towns  whither  He  was 
to  go;  therefore  following  the  example  of 
Chrift  he  affembled  together  twelve  Com- 
panions and  fent  them  forth  into  the 
world  to  preach  two  by  two.  And  to 
fet  them  an  example  of  true  obedience, 
he  firft  began  to  practife  that  which  he 
did  after  preach.  Hence  having  affigned 
to  his  Companions  the  other  parts  of  the 
world,  he,  taking  Brother  Maximus  as  his 
companion,  fet  forth  towards  the  Province 
of  France.  And  coming  one  day  to  a 

certain 


Saint  jprancts  of  Assist.      59 

certain  town  and  being  very  hungry,  they 
begged  their  bread  as  they  went,  accord- 
ing to  the  rule  of  their  Order,  for  the  love 
of  God  ;  and  Saint  Francis  went  through 
one  quarter  of  the  town  and  Brother  Maxi- 
mus  through  another.  But  forafmuch  as 
Saint  Francis  was  a  man  mean  and  low  of 
ftature,  and  hence  was  reputed  a  vile  beg- 
gar by  fuch  as  knew  him  not,  he  only  begged 
a  few  fcanty  crufts  and  mouthfuls  of  dry 
bread  ;  but  to  Brother  Maximus,  inafmuch 
as  he  was  great  and  well-favored,  were 
given  good  pieces  and  large,  and  an  abun- 
dance of  bread,  yea,  whole  loaves.  Hav- 
ing begged,  they  met  together  without  the 
town  to  eat,  at  a  place  where  there  was  a 
clear  well,  and  befide  it  was  a  fair  large  ftone, 
upon  which  each  fpread  forth  the  alms 
which  he  had  begged ;  and  Saint  Francis 
feeing  that  the  pieces  of  bread  begged  by 
Brother  Maximus  were  more  and  better 
and  bigger  than  his  own,  rejoiced  greatly, 
faying,  "  O  Brother  Maximus,  we  are  not 
worthy  of  fo  great  a  treafure;"  and  repeat- 
ing thefe  words  many  times,  Brother  Maxi- 
mus replied,  "  Father,  how  can  you  talk  of 
treafures,  where  there  is  fuch  great  pov- 
erty and  fuch  lack  of  all  things  needful  ? 

Here 


60       STte  Hittle  jFlotoers  of 

Here  is  neither  napkin  nor  knife,  neither 
board  nor  trencher,  neither  houfe  nor  ta- 
ble, neither  man-fervant  nor  maid-fervant." 
Saint  Francis  faid :  "  And  this  is  that  fame 
which  I  repute  a  great  treafure,  where 
nought  is  made  ready  by  human  induftry ; 
but  all  that  is  here  is  prepared  by  Divine 
Providence,  as  is  plainly  fet  forth  in  the 
bread  which  we  have  begged,  in  the  table 
of  fair  ftone,  and  in  the  well  of  clear  water, 
and  therefore  I  would  that  we  fhould  pray 
to  God  that  He  teach  us  to  love  with  all 
our  heart  the  treafure  of  Holy  Poverty  which 
is  fo  noble  a  thing,  and  whofe  fervant  is  God 
the  Lord."  And  having  faid  thefe  words, 
and  having  prayed,  and  having  taken  the 
bodily  refeftion  of  thofe  crufts  of  bread  and 
of  that  water,  they  arofe  to  journey  into 
France ;  and  coming  to  a  church,  Saint 
Francis  faid  to  his  Companion,  "  Let  us 
enter  into  this  church  to  pray."  And 
ftraightway  Saint  Francis  retired  behind 
the  altar  and  fell  to  praying ;  and  in  that 
prayer  he  received  exceeding  fervor  from 
the  Divine  Vifitation,  which  fo  inflamed  his 
foul  with  the  love  of  Holy  Poverty,  that  what 
with  the  color  of  his  face  and  with  the 
yawning  of  his  mouth  he  feemed  to  dart 

forth 


Saint  jFrancCg  of  Assist.     61 

forth  flames  of  love.  And  coming  thus 
kindled  unto  his  comrade,  he  faid,  "Ah, 
ah,  ah,  Brother  Maximus,  give  me  thyfelf ; " 
and  thefe  words  he  fpake  three  times ;  and 
the  third  time  Saint  Francis  lifted  Brother 
Maximus  in  the  air  with  his  breath,  and 
caft  him  before  him  for  the  fpace  of  a  tall 
ftaff;  at  which  that  fame  Brother  Maximus 
was  much  amazed.  He  afterwards  told 
his  Companions  that  in  that  raifing  and 
impulfion  of  the  breath,  performed  of  Saint 
Francis,  he  felt  fuch  fpiritual  fvveetnefs  and 
confolation  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  as  he  never 
before  had  known  in  his  life.  And  this 
done,  Saint  Francis  faid,  "  Comrade  mine, 
let  us  go  to  Saint  Peter  and  Saint  Paul, 
and  let  us  pray  them  that  they  will  be 
pleafed  to  teach  us  and  aid  us  to  poffefs 
the  unbounded  treafure  of  moft  Holy  Pov- 
erty ;  forafmuch  as  it  is  a  treafure  fo  worthy 
and  fo  divine  that  we  are  not  worthy  to 
poflefs  it  in  our  moft  Vile  Veffels ;  feeing 
that  it  is  that  celeftial  virtue  by  which  all 
things  tranfitory  and  terreftrial  are  trodden 
under  foot,  and  by  the  which  every  care  is 
fmoothed  from  the  Soul,  to  the  end  that  it 
may  freely  be  conjoined  with  the  Everlaft- 
ing  God;  and  this  is  that  fame  virtue  which 

makes 


62        £f)e  ILtttle  jFlotoers  of 

makes  the  Soul  ftill  bound  to  earth  con- 
verfe  with  Angels  in  Heaven  ;  and  this  it 
is  which  went  with  Chrift  even  to  the 
Crofs,  was  buried  with  Chrift,  rofe  from  the 
dead  with  Chrifl,  with  Chrifl  afcended  into 
Heaven  ;  which  even  in  this  life  grants  to 
Souls  which  truly  love  it  the  power  to 
afcend  into  Heaven,  forafmuch  as  it  pre- 
ferves  the  armor  of  true  Humility  and  Lov- 
ing-kindnefs.  And  therefore  let  us  pray 
the  moft  Holy  Apoftles  of  Chrifl,  who  were 
perfect  lovers  of  this  Gofpel  Pearl,  that 
they  will  be  pleafed  to  beftow  on  us  this 
grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrifl,  that  of  His 
moft  holy  mercy  He  will  make  us  worthy  to 
be  true  lovers,  followers,  and  humble  difci- 
ples  of  the  moft  precious,  moft  dearly  be- 
loved, and  evangelical  Poverty."  And  in 
fuch  difcourfe  they  reached  Rome,  and 
entered  into  the  Church  of  St.  Peter ; 
and  Saint  Francis  began  to  pray  in  one 
corner  of  the  Church  and  Brother  Maxi- 
mus  in  the  other.  And  praying  long  with 
many  tears  and  great  devotion,  the  moft 
Holy  Apoftles  Peter  and  Paul  appeared 
unto  Saint  Francis  with  great  fplendor, 
faying,  "  Forafmuch  as  you  demand  and 
defire  to  follow  that  which  Chrift  and  the 

Holy 


<Sa(nt  jFrancfs  of  Assist.     63 

Holy  Apoftles  followed,  the  Lord  Jefus 
Chrift  fends  us  to  you  to  fay  that  your 
prayer  has  been  heard,  and  that  God  yields 
to  you  and  to  your  followers  the  treafure  of 
moft  Holy  Poverty  in  fulleft  meafure.  And 
alfo  He  bids  us  fay  unto  you  that  whofo- 
ever  like  you  fhall  truly  follow  this  defire, 
he  fhall  be  bleffed  forevermore  ;  and  you 
and  all  your  companions  fhall  be  bleffed  of 
God."  And  having  uttered ,  thefe  words 
they  vanifhed  away,  leaving  Saint  Francis 
greatly  confoled.  The  fame  rofe  from  his 
prayers  and  returned  to  his  Companion  and 
afked  him  if  God  had  revealed  nothing 
to  him.  And  he  anfwered,  "  No."  Then 
Saint  Francis  told  him  how  the  Holy 
Apoftles  had  appeared  unto  him,  and  that 
which  they  had  revealed  to  him.  Upon 
which,  each  being  filled  with  joy,  they  de- 
termined to  return  into  the  Vale  of  Spoleto, 
journeying  not  into  France. 


64       ftfje  Etttle  jFlotoers  of 


CHAPTER    XIV. 

How  Saint  Francis,  difcourjing  of  God  with  his 
Brethren,  He  appeared  in  their  Midji. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  in  the  early  days 
of  the  foundation  of  his  Order,  being 
gathered  together  with  his  Companions, 
difcourfmg  of  Chrift,  in  the  ardor  of  his 
fpirit,  did  charge  one  among  them  that 
he  open  his  mouth  in  the  name  of  God, 
and  fpeak  concerning  God  that  which  the 
Holy  Ghoft  fhould  infpire  him  to  fay.  The 
Brother  obeying  the  command,  and  fpeak- 
ing  marvellous  well  concerning  God, 
Saint  Francis  impofed  filence  upon  him, 
and  required  the  fame  of  another  friar. 
He  obeying,  and  fpeaking  fubtilely  of  God, 
Saint  Francis  likewife  impofed  filence  upon 
him  ;  and  he  commanded  a  third  that  he 
fhould  fpeak  of  God,  who  likewife  began  to 
talk  fo  wifely  of  the  fecret  things  of  God 
that  Saint  Francis  knew  certainly  that  he, 
as  alfo  the  other  two,  fpake  from  the  Holy 
Ghoft,  and  this  alfo  was  proven  by  an  ex- 
ample, and  by  an  exprefs  fign  ;  for  they 
being  in  this  difcourfe,  Chrift  the  Bleffed 

appeared 


Saint  jpratuts  of  Assist.     65 

appeared  in  their  midft  vifibly  and  in  the 
bodily  form  of  a  moft  lovely  Youth ;  and 
bleffing  them,  he  filled  them  all  with  fuch 
grace  and  fweetnefs  that  they  were  rav- 
ifhed  out  of  themfelves,  and  fell  like  dead 
men,  knowing  nought  of  this  world.  And 
then  returning  to  their  fenfes,  Saint  Fran- 
cis faid  to  them :  "  My  beloved  Brothers, 
give  thanks  to  God,  Who  has  been  pleafed 
to  reveal  the  treafures  of  the  Divine  Wifdom 
through  the  mouths  of  the  fimple  ;  foraf- 
much  as  it  is  God  Who  opes  the  mouth 
of  the  dumb  and  makes  the  tongue  of  the 
fimple  to  difcourfe  moft  wifely." 


CHAPTER    XV. 

How  Saint  Clara  ate  with  Saint  Francis  and 
with  his  Brother  Monks  in  St.  Mary  of  the 
Angels. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  when  he  was  at 
Affifi,  ofttimes  vifited  Saint  Clara,  giv- 
ing her  holy  teachings ;  and  me  having  the 
greateft  defire  to  eat  with  him  but  once, 
and  entreating  him  many  times  to  this  end, 
he  would  never  grant  her  that  Confolation. 

Hence, 


66        STJje  JLtttlc  jHotocrs  of 

Hence  his  Companions,  feeing  the  defire  of 
Saint  Clara,  faid  to  Saint  Francis  :  "  Father, 
to  us  it  feems  that  fuch  feverity  is  not  in 
accordance  with  Divine  Charity,  that  Sifter 
Clara,  a  virgin  fo  faintly  and  fo  beloved  of 
God,  fhould  not  find  favor  in  your  fight  to 
gain  fo  fmall  a  thing  as  to  eat  with  you  ; 
and  efpecially  confidering  that  fhe  through 
your  preachings  forfook  riches  and  all  the 
pomps  of  this  world  ;  and  verily,  were  fhe 
to  afk  you  a  much  greater  grace  than  this, 
you  fhould  grant  it  to  your  fpiritual  child." 
Then  Saint  Francis  replied,  "  Does  it  feem 
to  you  that  I  fhould  hear  her  prayer  ?  " 
His  Companions  anfwered,  "  Father,  yes  ; 
it  is  a  righteous  thing  that  you  fhould  grant 
her  requeft,  and  a  confolation."  Then  Saint 
Francis  faid  :  "  Since  it  feems  meet  to  you, 
it  feems  fo  alfo  unto  me.  But  that  fhe  may 
be  the  more  confoled,  I  defire  that  this 
meal  fhould  be  eaten  in  the  Church  of  St. 
Mary  of  the  Angels,  forafmuch  as  fhe  has 
long  been  cloiftered  in  St.  Damian  :  there- 
fore it  will  rejoice  her  much  to  fee  the 
Church  of  St.  Mary,  where  her  locks  were 
fhorn  off  and  fhe  was  made  the  bride 
of  Jefus  Chrift ;  and  there  we  will  eat  to- 
gether in  the  name  of  God."  When  the 

day 


Saint  jFtancts  of  Assist.     67 

day  came  appointed  for  this,  Saint  Clara 
left  her  Convent  with  one  companion,  accom- 
panied by  the  Companions  of  Saint  Francis, 
and  came  to  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels ;  and 
having  devoutly  faluted  the  Virgin  Mary 
before  the  altar,  where  her  locks  had  been 
morn  and  the  veil  had  been  placed  upon 
her  head,  they  led  her  about  to  fee  the 
place  until  at  laft  it  was  time  to  dine. 
And  Saint  Francis  ordered  the  cloth  to  be 
laid  in  their  midft  upon  the  bare  ground, 
as  he  was  wont  to  do.  And  when  the  hour 
for  dinner  came,  Saint  Francis  and  Saint 
Clara  fat  down  together,  and  one  of  the 
Comrades  of  Saint  Francis  with  Saint 
Clara's  Companion,  and  then  all  their  other 
Companions  took  their  places  humbly.  And 
for  the  firft  dim  Saint  Francis  began  to 
talk  of  God  fo  fweetly,  fo  nobly,  fo  won- 
drous well,  that  the  abundance  of  the  Divine 
grace  defcending  upon  them,  they  were  all 
tranfported  as  it  were  to  Heaven.  And 
being  thus  tranfported,  with  eyes  and 
hands  raifed  to  Heaven,  the  men  of  AfTifi 
and  of  Bettona,  and  of  the  country  round 
about,  faw  how  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels, 
and  all  that  place,  and  the  wood  which 
ftood  befide  it,  burned  fiercely ;  and  it 

feemed 


68        &f)*  ILtttle  jFiotorrs  of 


feemed  as  it  were  a  great  fire,  which  filled 
the  Church,  and  the  place,  and  the  wood 
alfo  ;  wherefore  the  people  of  Affifi  in  great 
hafte  ran  thither  to  put  out  the  Fire,  truly 
thinking  that  everything  was  burning. 
But  on  reaching  the  fpot,  and  finding  no 
flames,  they  entered  in,  and  found  Saint 
Francis  with  Saint  Clara,  and  with  all  their 
companions,  abforbed  in  the  contemplation 
of  God,  and  fitting  around  that  humble 
board.  Whence  they  perceived  that  thofe 
were  divine  and  not  material  flames,  which 
God  had  caufed  to  appear  miraculoufly,  to 
fhow  forth  and  fignify  the  Fire  of  the  Divine 
Love  with  which  the  fouls  of  thofe  holy 
monks  and  nuns  were  confumed  ;  where- 
fore they  departed  with  great  Confolation 
in  their  hearts,  and  with  holy  Edification. 
Then  after  a  great  fpace  Saint  Francis  re- 
turning to  himfelf,  and  likewife  Saint  Clara, 
together  with  the  others,  and  feeling  them- 
felves  much  comforted  by  the  fpiritual  food, 
they  cared  little  for  bodily  fuftenance.  And 
thus,  this  bleffed  meal  being  ended,  Saint 
Clara,  well  efcorted,  returned  to  St.  Damian  ; 
whence  her  Sifters,  feeing  her  coming,  re- 
joiced greatly,  inafmuch  as  they  feared 
left  Saint  Francis  had  fent  her  to  rule 

over 


Saint  jFrancts  of  ®nntel.     69 

over  fome  other  convent,  even  as  he  had 
already  fent  Sifter  Agnes,  her  ghoftly  fitter, 
as  abbefs  to  rule  over  the  monaftery  of 
Monticelli  at  Florence  ;  and  Saint  Fran- 
cis had  once  faid  to  Saint  Clara,  "  Be  ready, 
if  I  need  you,  that  I  may  fend  you  fome- 
whither,"  and  fhe,  as  befeemed  a  daugh- 
ter of  Holy  Obedience,  had  made  anfwer, 
"  Father,  I  am  ever  ready  to  go  whither- 
foever  you  may  fend  me."  And  hence 
the  Sifters  rejoiced  greatly  when  they  faw 
her  again  among  them :  and  Saint  Clara 
thenceforth  remained  much  confoled. 


CHAPTER    XVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  received  the  Advice  of  Saint 
Clara  and  of  Holy  Brother  Sylvefler,  that  he 
JJwuld  go  forth  and  preach,  converting  the 
People ;  and  he  created  the  Third  Order,  and 
preached  to  the  Birds  and  filenced  the  young 
Swallows. 

THAT  humble  fervant  of  Jefus  Chrift, 
Saint  Francis,  fhortly  after  his  con- 
verfion,  having  already  gathered  together 
many  companions  and  received  them  into 

the 


yo       £fje  SLittle  jFlototrs  of 

the  Order,  fell  into  deep  thought  and  into 
grave  doubt  as  to  what  he  fhould  do, — 
whether  he  fhould  devote  himfelf  wholly 
to  prayer,  or  whether  indeed  he  fhould  fome- 
times  preach  ;  and  on  this  fubjecl:  he  greatly 
defired  to  know  the  will  of  God.  And 
forafmuch  as  the  Saintly  Humility  which 
was  in  him  would  not  let  him  truft  to  him- 
felf or  to  his  own  prayers  alone,  he  ftrove 
to  feek  out  the  Divine  will  through  the 
prayers  of  others  ;  hence  he  called  Brother 
Maximus,  and  fpake  to  him  thus :  "  Go  to 
Sifter  Clara  and  tell  her  from  me  that  fhe, 
with  certain  of  her  moft  fpiritual  compan- 
ions, ftiall  pray  devoutly  to  God  that  it 
may  pleafe  Him  to  reveal  to  me  whether 
it  is  better  that  I  mould  devote  myfelf 
to  preaching,  or  merely  to  prayer.  And 
then  go  to  Brother  Sylvefter  and  fay  the 
fame  words."  This  was  that  fame  Matter 
Sylvefter  who  had  feen  a  golden  crofs  come 
forth  from  the  mouth  of  Saint  Francis, 
which  was  as  high  as  the  heavens  and  as 
broad  as  the  confines  of  the  globe.  And 
fuch  were  the  devotion  and  the  fanclity  of 
this  fame  Brother  Sylvefter,  that  whatfo- 
ever  he  afked  of  God,  even  that  fame  he 
obtained,  and  his  prayer  was  granted,  and 

many 


of  ^ss(»(.     71 

many  times  he  fpake  with  God ;  and  yet 
Saint  Francis  alfo  had  great  piety.  Brother 
Maximus  went  forth,  and  according  to  the 
command  of  Saint  Francis  he  fulfilled  his 
errand  firft  to  Saint  Clara  and  then  to 
Brother  Sylvefter ;  who,  when  he  had  re- 
ceived it,  incontinently  fell  to  praying,  and 
praying  he  heard  the  Divine  voice,  and  turn- 
ing to  Brother  Maximus  he  faid  :  "Thus 
faith  the  Lord,  which  you  (hall  repeat  to 
Brother  Francis,  —  that  God  did  not  call 
him  unto  this  ftate  for  himfelf  alone,  but 
that  he  might  reap  a  harveft  of  fouls,  and 
many  through  him  mall  be  faved."  Having 
this  anfwer,  Brother  Maximus  returned  to 
Saint  Clara  to  know  that  which  fhe  had 
obtained  of  God.  And  fhe  made  anfwer 
that  fhe  and  her  Companions  had  had 
from  God  the  felfsame  anfwer  which 
Brother  Sylvefter  had  had.  With  this 
Brother  Maximus  returned  to  Saint  Fran- 
cis ;  and  Saint  Francis  received  him  with 
the  utmoft  Affection,  wafhing  his  feet  and 
laying  the  cloth  for  him  to  dine.  And 
after  eating,  Saint  Francis  called  Brother 
Maximus  into  the  thick  wood  ;  and  there 
he  knelt  before  him,  and  drawing  down  his 
Cowl  over  his  face,  he  croffed  his  arms  and 

aflced 


72        STlje  Utttlc  jFlotoers  of 

alked  him,  faying,  "  What  does  my  Lord 
and  Mafter  Jefus  Chrift  command  me  to 
do  ? "  Brother  Maximus  made  anfwer  • 
"Both  to  Brother  Sylvefter  and  to  Sifter 
Clara,  with  her  Sifters,  Chrift  has  replied 
and  made  manifeft  that  it  is  His  will  that 
you  ftiall  go  forth  into  the  world  to  preach ; 
forafmuch  as  He  did  not  call  you  for  your- 
felf  alone,  but  even  alfo  for  the  falvation  of 
others."  And  then  Saint  Francis,  when  that 
he  had  heard  this  anfwer  and  learned  there- 
from the  will  of  Jefus  Chrift,  rofe  up  with 
the  greateft  fervor,  faying,  "  Let  us  go  forth 
in  the  name  of  God."  And  he  took  for  his 
Companions  Brother  Maximus  and  Brother 
Andrew,  holy  men  both  ;  and  going  forth 
filled  with  the  things  of  the  Spirit,  without 
confidering  their  road  or  their  way,  they 
came  to  a  Caftle,  which  is  called  Savur- 
niano,  and  Saint  Francis  began  to  preach  ; 
and  he  firft  commanded  the  Swallows,  which 
were  finging,  to  keep  filence  fo  long  as 
until  he  Ihould  have  preached  ;  and  the 
Swallows  obeyed  him  ;  and  he  preached  in 
this  place  with  fuch  fervor  that  all  the  men 
and  the  women  in  that  Caftle,  from  devotion, 
would  have  followed  after  him  and  forfaken 
the  Caftle  ;  but  Saint  Francis  forbade  them, 

faying, 


Saint  jFrancte  of  Assist.     73 

faying,  "  Be  not  in  hafte,  and  depart  not, 
and  I  will  order  all  things  which  you  are 
to  do  for  the  falvation  of  your  foul."  And 
then  he  created  the  Third  Order,  for  the 
Univerfal  Salvation  of  all  men ;  and  thus 
leaving  many  confoled  and  well  difpofed 
to  penitence,  he  departed  from  thence  and 
came  to  Cannajo  and  Bevagno.  And  patt- 
ing on  his  way  with  the  felfsame  fervor,'he 
raifed  his  eyes  and  faw  certain  trees  by  the 
roadfide  in  which  were  an  infinite  multitude 
of  birds  ;  at  which  Saint  Francis  marvelled 
greatly,  and  faid  to  his  Companions,  "Await 
me  here  in  the  road,  and  I  will  go  and  preach 
to  my  Sifters  the  birds."  And  he  entered 
the  field  and  began  to  preach  to  the  birds 
which  were  on  the  ground  ;  and  fuddenly 
thofe  which  were  in  the  trees  came  down 
to  him,  and  as  many  as  there  were  they  all 
flood  quietly  until  Saint  Francis  had  done 
preaching ;  and  even  then  they  did  not 
depart  until  fuch  time  as  he  had  given 
them  his  blefling;  and  according  to  the 
later  recital  of  Brother  Maximus  to  Brother 
James  of  Maffa,  Saint  Francis  moving 
among  them  touched  them  with  his  cape, 
but  not  one  moved.  The  fubftance  of  Saint 
Francis'  fermon  was  this  :  "  My  Sifters  the 

birds, 


74       &t*  lUttle  jpiotoers  of 

birds,  ye  are  greatly  beholden  unto  God 
your  Creator,  and  always  and  in  every 
place  it  is  your  duty  to  praife  Him,  foraf- 
much  as  He  hath  given  you  freedom  to  fly 
in  every  place  ;  alfo  hath  He  given  you  rai- 
ment twofold  and  threefold  almoft,  becaufe 
He  preferved  your  Seed  in  the  ark  of  Noah, 
that  your  race  might  never  be  lefs.  Again, 
ye  are  bounden  to  Him  for  the  element  of 
the  air,  which  He  has  deputed  unto  you  ; 
moreover,  you  fow  not,  neither  do  you 
reap,  and  God  feeds  you,  and  gives  you  the 
ftreams  and  fountains  for  your  thirft  ;  He 
gives  you  mountains  and  valleys  for  your 
refuge  ;  tall  trees  wherein  to  make  your 
nefts  ;  and  inafmuch  as  you  neither  fpin 
nor  weave,  God  clothes  you,  you  and  your 
children  ;  hence  ye  fhould  love  your  Crea- 
tor greatly,  Who  gives  you  fuch  great  bene- 
fits, and  therefore  beware,  my  Sifters,  of  the 
fin  of  ingratitude,  and  ever  ftrive  to  praife 
God."  Saint  Francis  faying  thefe  words 
to  them,  all  thofe  birds,  as  many  as  there 
were,  began  to  ope  their  beaks  and  ftretch 
forth  their  necks  and  fpread  their  wings 
and  reverently  to  bow  their  heads  even  to 
the  earth,  and  by  their  acts  and  their  fongs 
to  fet  forth  that  the  Holy  Father  gave  them 

the 


SAINT   FRANCIS    PREACHING   TO   THE  BIRDS. 

From  the  Painting  by  Giotto. 


jFrancts  of  Assist.     75 

the  utmoft  delight ;  and  Saint  Francis  re- 
joiced with  them,  pleafed  and  marvelling 
much  to  fee  fo  vaft  a  multitude  of  birds, 
and  their  moll  beautiful  variety,  their  at- 
tention and  familiarity  ;  for  the  which 
things  in  them  he  devoutly  praifed  the 
Creator.  Finally,  his  preaching  ended, 
Saint  Francis  made  them  the  fign  of  the 
Crofs  and  gave  them  leave  to  depart ;  and 
then  all  thofe  birds  rofe  into  the  air  with 
wondrous  fongs  ;  and  then,  according  to 
the  Crofs  which  Saint  Francis  had  made 
them,  they  divided  into  four  parts  ;  and 
the  one  part  flew  towards  the  eaft,  and  the 
other  towards  the  weft,  and  the  one  part 
towards  the  fouth,  and  the  other  towards 
the  north,  and  each  band  went  away  fing- 
ing  marvellous  fongs ;  fignifying  by  this  how 
that  Saint  Francis,  the  Enfign  of  the  Crofs 
of  Chrift,  had  come  to  preach  to  them,  and 
had  made  the  fign  of  the  Crofs  over  them, 
according  to  which  they  had  fcattered  to 
the  four  quarters  of  the  globe.  Thus  the 
preaching  of  the  Crofs  of  Chrift  renewed  by 
Saint  Francis  was  by  him  and  his  Brethren 
borne  throughout  the  whole  world  ;  which 
Brethren,  even  as  the  birds,  pofleffed  noth- 
ing of  this  world's  goods,  but  committed  their 
life  to  the  fole  and  only  providence  of  God. 


76       Stye  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 


CHAPTER    XVII. 

How  a  Francifcan  Child,  while  Saint  Francis 
prayed  by  Night,  faw  Chri/l  and  the  Virgin 
Mary,  and  many  other  Saints  with  Him. 

A  VERY  pure  and  innocent  child  was 
received  into  the  Order  while  Saint 
Francis  yet  lived  ;  and  he  abode  in  a  fmall 
convent,  wherein  from  fheer  neceffity  the 
Brethren  flept  in  caft-off  rags.  Saint  Fran- 
cis coming  on  a  time  to  this  place,  at  even- 
tide, Complines  being  faid,  he  went  to  fleep 
betimes,  to  the  end  that  he  might  rife  in 
the  night  to  pray  when  the  other  Brothers 
flept,  as  was  his  wont.  The  faid  child  de- 
termined folicitouily  to  watch  the  ways  of 
Saint  Francis,  for  the  better  acquaintance 
with  his  fanctity,  and  efpecially  to  know 
that  which  he  did  at  night  when  he  arofe 
from  bed.  And  to  the  end  that  fleep  might 
not  overtake  him,  this  little  lad  lay  down  to 
fleep  by  the  fide  of  Saint  Francis,  and  bound 
his  girdle  to  that  of  Saint  Francis,  that  he 
might  have  warning  if  he  rofe  up :  and  of 
this  Saint  Francis  knew  not  aught.  But 
in  the  firft  fleep  of  night,  when  all  the 

other 


Saint  jprancts  of  &0sist.     77 

other  Brothers  flumbered,  he  arofe  and 
found  his  girdle  thus  bound,  and  loofed  it 
pioufly,  fo  that  the  child  was  not  awakened  ; 
and  Saint  Francis  ftraightway  went  out 
into  the  Wood,  which  was  hard  by  that 
place,  and  entered  into  a  tiny  cell  which 
was  there  and  fell  to  praying.  And  after 
a  certain  fpace  the  child  awoke,  and  finding 
the  girdle  loofed  and  Saint  Francis  arifen, 
he  alfo  rofe  up  and  went  about  feeking 
him;  and  finding  the  door  open  whence 
he  had  iflued  forth  into  the  Wood,  he  imag- 
ined that  Saint  Francis  had  gone  thither, 
and  he  alfo  followed  after  into  the  Wood. 
And  having  drawn  near  to  the  fpot  where 
Saint  Francis  was  at  prayer,  he  began  to 
hear  the  murmur  of  many  voices ;  and 
drawing  ever  nearer  to  fee  and  to  under- 
ftand  that  which  he  heard,  he  beheld  a 
great  and  wondrous  light  which  fhone 
round  about  Saint  Francis,  and  therein  he 
faw  Chrift,  and  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  Saint 
John  the  Baptift,  and  Saint  John  the  Evan- 
gelift,  and  a  vaft  multitude  of  Angels,  who 
difcourfcd  with  Saint  Francis.  Seeing  and 
hearing  thefe  things,  the  child  fell  to  the 
earth  in  a  fwoon  ;  then,  the  Myftery  of 
this  holy  apparition  completed,  and  Saint 

Francis 


78        Eije  aittU  jaotoccs  of 

Francis  being  about  to  return  to  the  con- 
vent, he  found  the  child  with  his  foot,  — 
which  is  to  fay,  he  ftumbled  over  him, — ly- 
ing like  one  dead  ;  and  from  compaffion  he 
lifted  him  up  and  took  him  in  his  arms,  as 
the  good  Shepherd  does  his  fheep.  And 
then  learning  from  him  how  that  he  had 
feen  that  felfsame  vifion,  he  commanded  him 
never  to  fpeak  of  it  to  living  man,  that  is, 
fo  long  as  he  himfelf  mould  yet  live.  The 
child,  growing  in  the  grace  of  God  and  the 
favor  of  Saint  Francis,  became  a  valiant 
member  of  the  Order ;  and  he,  after  the 
death  of  Saint  Francis,  revealed  the  faid 
vifion  to  the  Brethren. 


CHAPTER    XVIII. 

Of  the  marvellous  Chapter  held  by  Saint  Francis 
in  the  Church  of  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels,  where 
were  ajjembled  more  than  five  thoufand  of  the 
Brethren. 

FRANCIS,  faithful   fervant    of    Chrift, 
upon  a  time  held  a  General  Chapter 
at  St.  Mary  of  the  Angels,  at  which  fame 
Chapter  were    affembled   more   than   five 

thoufand 


•Satnt  jFrancts  of  Assist.     79 

thoufand  of  the  Brethren  ;  and  there  came 
thither  Saint  Dominic,  the  head  and  very 
foundation  of  the  Order  of  Preaching  or 
Dominican  Friars,  who  was  then  jour- 
neying from  Burgundy  to  Rome.  And 
hearing  of  the  congregation  of  the  Chap- 
ter which  Saint  Francis  had  called  to- 
gether upon  the  plain  round  about  St. 
Mary  of  the  Angels,  he  turned  afide  to 
fee  it,  with  feven  Brothers  of  his  Order. 
There  was  furthermore  at  this  Chapter  a 
Cardinal  moft  pioufly  attached  to  Saint 
Francis,  to  whom  he  had  prophefied  that 
he  mould  yet  be  Pope,  and  even  fo  it  was  ; 
the  which  Cardinal  had  come  expreffly 
from  Perugia,  where  the  Court  abode,  to 
Affifi ;  daily  he  came  to  vifit  Saint  Fran- 
cis and  his  Brothers,  and  daily  he  fang  the 
Mafs,  and  daily  he  preached  a  fermon  to 
the  Brethren  in  the  Chapter  ;  and  the  faid 
Cardinal  felt  the  utmoft  devotion  and  de- 
light when  he  came  to  vifit  that  holy 
College.  And  feeing  the  Brethren  fitting 
round  about  St.  Mary's,  rank  on  rank,  here 
forty,  here  an  hundred,  and  here  eighty  to- 
gether, all  abforbed  in  difcourfing  of  God, 
in  Prayers  and  Lamentation,  in  acts  of 
Charity,  and  they  obferving  fuch  filence, 

and 


8o        frfj*  ILtttle  jHotocrs  of 


and  fo  great  their  modefty  that  no  fainteft 
noife  nor  clamor  was  to  be  heard,  and 
marvelling  at  fo  orderly  and  fo  vaft  a  multi- 
tude, with  tears  and  much  devotion  he  faid, 
"  Verily,  verily  this  is  the  Encampment  and 
the  Army  of  the  Knights  of  God."  In  all 
that  multitude  no  man  was  heard  recount- 
ing idle  tales  nor  Jefts  ;  but  wherever  a 
band  of  Brothers  was  met  together,  either 
they  prayed,  or  they  read  their  Offices,  or 
they  bewailed  their  fins  or  thofe  of  their 
benefactors,  or  they  difcourfed  of  the  Salva- 
tion of  their  fouls.  Upon  that  field  were 
huts  woven  of  hurdles  or  of  reeds,  divided 
into  bands  according  to  the  Friars  from 
various  provinces  ;  and  hence  that  Chapter 
was  called  the  Chapter  of  the  Hurdles  and 
alfo  of  the  Reeds.  Their  beds  were  the 
bare  ground,  and  fome  among  them  had  a 
little  ftraw  ;  their  Pillows  were  of  ftone  or 
of  wood  ;  by  reafon  of  which  all  who  heard 
or  faw  them  felt  much  Admiration  for  their 
devotion.  And  fo  great  was  the  fame  of 
their  Sanctity,  that  there  came  thither  from 
the  Papal  Court,  which  was  then  at  Perugia, 
and  from  other  parts  of  the  Vale  of  Spo- 
leto,  many  counts,  barons,  cavaliers,  and 
other  gentlemen,  and  many  country  people 

and 


jFrancts  of  Qteniui.     81 

and  Cardinals  and  Bifhops  and  Abbots  with 
many  other  of  the  clergy  to  fee  a  congre- 
gation fo  holy,  fo  vaft,  and  yet  fo  humble, 
for  never  before  fince  the  world  began  had 
fo  many  holy  men  been  met  together  ;  and 
chiefly  they  came  to  fee  the  Head  and 
moft  Holy  Father  of  thefe  faintly  folk, 
which  had  robbed  the  world  of  fo  fair  a 
prey,  and  gathered  together  fo  beauteous 
and  fo  devout  a  flock  to  follow  in  the  foot- 
fteps  of  the  true  Shepherd  Chrift  Jefus. 
The  entire  General  Chapter  being  then 
affembled,  the  Holy  Father  and  Com- 
mander of  all,  Saint  Francis,  with  fervent 
fpirit  fet  forth  the  Word  of  God,  and 
preached  to  them  in  a  loud  voice  the  words 
which  the  Holy  Ghoft  put  into  his  mouth  ; 
and  as  the  fubjecT:  of  his  fermon  he  fpake 
thefe  words  :  "  My  fons,  great  things  have 
we  promifed  unto  God :  far  greater  are 
promifed  to  us  of  God,  if  we  keep  our 
promifes  unto  Him :  and  we  may  furely 
await  thofe  which  are  promifed  unto  us. 
Brief  are  the  pleafures  of  this  World  ;  the 
pains  that  follow  in  their  train  are  everlaft- 
ing  ;  flight  are  the  Pangs  of  this  life,  but 
the  Glory  of  the  other  life  is  infinite." 
And  preaching  devoutly  upon  this  text,  he 

comforted 


82        &%t  mule  jFlotocrs  of 

comforted  and  perfuaded  the  Brothers  to 
obedience  and  reverence  for  their  Holy 
Mother  Church,  and  to  brotherly  affection, 
and  to  worlhip  God  before  all  the  people, 
to  be  patient  in  worldly  Adverfity,  and  tem- 
perate in  Profperity,  to  obferve  Purity  and 
angelic  Chaftity,  and  to  preferve  peace  and 
concord  with  God  and  with  man  and  with 
their  own  confcience,  and  to  love  and  pur- 
fue  the  moft  Holy  Poverty.  And  upon  this 
point  he  fpake  thefe  words  :  "  I  charge  you, 
by  the  fruits  of  your  holy  vow  of  obedience, 
that  all  ye,  who  are  gathered  together  here, 
take  no  thought  to  yourfelves,  nor  any 
heed  for  what  ye  fhall  eat,  or  fhall  drink, 
or  wherewithal  ye  fhall  be  clothed,  but 
apply  yourfelves  only  to  praying  and  praif- 
ing  God  ;  and  leave  all  care  for  your  bodies 
unto  Him,  forafmuch  as  He  hath  a  fpecial 
care  over  you."  And  every  man  among 
them,  as  many  as  there  were  there,  received 
this  command  with  a  light  heart  and  a  cheer- 
ful face ;  and  Saint  Francis  having  ended  his 
fermon,  they  all  fell  to  praying.  At  which 
Saint  Dominic,  who  was  prefent  at  thefe 
things,  marvelled  greatly  at  the  charge  of 
Saint  Francis,  and  held  him  to  be  indif- 
creet,  being  unable  to  fancy  how  fo  vaft  a 

hoft 


Saint  jfrancts  of  Assist.     83 

hoft  could  exift  without  taking  any  thought 
or  heed  for  the  things  of  the  Body.  But 
the  great  Shepherd  Chrift  the  bleft,  defir- 
ing  to  fhow  how  He  cares  for  His  Sheep 
and  His  fingular  love  for  His  poor  follow- 
ers, ftraightway  infpired  the  men  of  Perugia, 
of  Spoleto,  of  Fuligno,  of  Spello,  Affifi, 
and  the  other  regions  round  about,  to  bear 
food  and  drink  to  that  holy  congregation. 
And  lo  fuddenly  a  great  multitude  of  men 
came  forth  from  the  faid  regions, with  beafts 
of  burden,  horfes,  and  carts,  laden  with 
bread  and  wine,  with  honeycomb  and  with 
cheefe,  and  with  other  good  things  to  eat, 
according  as  Chrift's  poor  had  need.  More- 
over they  bore  alfo  napkins,  jugs,  bowls, 
glafies,  and  other  veflels,  enough  to  ferve  fo 
vaft  a  multitude :  and  he  counted  himfelf 
happy  who  could  fet  forth  moft  offer- 
ings or  could  moft  acceptably  ferve;  in- 
inafmuch  as  even  the  Knights  and  Barons 
and  other  Gentlemen,  who  came  thither  to 
fee,  ferved  before  them  with  great  humility 
and  devotion.  Wherefore  Saint  Dominic, 
feeing  thefe  things,  and  knowing  truly  that 
a  Divine  Providence  did  work  within  them, 
humbly  acknowledged  that  he  had  falfely 
judged  Saint  Francis  as  indifcreet  in  his 

commands ; 


84        rte  ZLtttie  JFlotoers  of 


commands  ;  and  going  before  him,  he 
knelt  down  and  humbly  confeffed  his  guilt, 
and  added:  "Verily  God  hath  an  efpecial 
care  for  thefe  poor  faints,  and  I  knew  it 
not  ;  and  from  this  time  forth  I  promife  to 
obferve  the  Holy  Poverty  of  the  Gofpels, 
and  I  curfe  in  the  name  of  God  all  thofe 
Brethren  of  my  Order  who  lhall  within 
that  fame  Order  prefume  to  hold  property." 
Thus  Saint  Dominic  was  much  edified  by 
the  faith  of  the  moft  holy  Francis,  and  by 
the  obedience  to  their  vow  of  poverty  dif- 
played  by  fo  vaft  and  orderly  a  community, 
and  by  the  Divine  Providence  and  the  copi- 
ous abundance  of  every  good  thing.  At 
that  fame  Chapter  fome  faid  to  Saint  Fran- 
cis that  many  of  the  Friars  wore  inftru- 
ments  of  torture  next  their  Ikin,  for  the 
which  thing  many  fell  ill,  and  hence  died, 
and  many  were  thus  prevented  from  prayer. 
At  which  Saint  Francis,  like  a  moft  pru- 
dent Father,  by  his  vow  of  Holy  Obedi- 
ence charged  every  man  who  might  wear 
fuch  inftruments  of  torture,  to  ftrip  them 
off  and  lay  them  before  him,  and  fo  it  was 
done  ;  and  they  reckoned  at  leaft  five  hun- 
dred of  one  kind  ;  and  fo  many  were  there 
of  iron  rings  taken  from  arms  and  breaft, 

that 


-Saint  jFi'ancis  of  Assist.      85 

that  they  formed  a  little  mountain  ;  and 
Saint  Francis  left  them  where  they  lay. 
Then,  the  Chapter  being  ended,  Saint 
Francis  comforted  them  all  mightily,  and 
inftructed  them  how  they  might  live  with- 
out fin  in  this  wicked  world,  and  fent  them 
all  home,  every  man  to  his  own  Province, 
with  the  blefling  of  God,  all  greatly  con- 
foled  and  full  of  fpiritual  joy. 


CHAPTER    XIX. 

How  the  Grapes  in  the  Vineyard  of  the  Priejl 
of  Rieti,  in  whofe  Houfe  Saint  Francis  prayed, 
were  trampled  and  plucked  by  the  many  People 
which  came  thither  to  him  ;  and  then  miracu- 
loufly  made  more  Wine  than  ever  before,  even 
as  Saint  Francis  had  promifed.  And  how 
the  Lord  revealed  to  Saint  Francis  that 
Paradife  Jhould  be  his  lot. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  being  once  affliaed 
with  a  grievous  malady  of  the  eyes, 
Cardinal  Ugolino,  Protector  of  the  Order, 
for   the   great   love    he    bore    him,  wrote 
to  him  bidding  him  come  to  him  at  Rieti, 
where  were  moft  excellent  doctors  for  the 
eyes.      Then    Saint    Francis,    having    re- 
ceived 


86        Efje  ILtttle  jFlofoers  of 

ceived  the  Cardinal's  letter,  fet  forth 
firft  to  Saint  Damian's,  where  dwelt  Saint 
Clara,  that  moft  faithful  fpoufe  of  Chrift, 
to  give  her  fome  little  confolation,  and 
thence  to  journey  to  the  Cardinal.  Be- 
ing there,  the  next  night  Saint  Francis 
found  his  eyes  fo  much  worfe  that  he 
could  fee  no  ray  of  light ;  hence  being 
unable  to  depart,  Saint  Clara  made  him  a 
little  cell  of  reeds  wherein  he  might  bet- 
ter reft.  But  Saint  Francis,  what  with  the 
anguifh  of  his  eyes,  and  what  with  the  multi- 
tude of  rats  and  mice  which  did  difturb  him 
mightily,  could  find  no  Peace,  neither  by 
day  nor  by  night.  And  enduring  long  thefe 
pangs  and  tribulations,  he  began  to  think 
and  to  fee  that  this  was  a  fcourge  fent  by 
God  to  punifh  him  for  his  fins  ;  and  he 
began  to  thank  the  Lord  with  his  whole 
heart  and  with  his  lips,  and  then  he  cried 
out  in  a  loud  voice  and  faid  :  "  My  Lord, 
worthy  am  I  of  this  and  of  far  worfe.  My 
Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  the  Good  Shepherd,  who 
haft  fhown  Thy  mercy  to  fmners  by  various 
bodily  pains  and  agonies,  grant  me,  Thy 
rebellious  fheep,  grace  and  power  to  hold 
to  Thee  through  all  illnefs,  anguifh,  and 
pain."  And  in  the  midft  of  this  prayer  he 

heard 


Saint  jFrancts  of  Assist.     87 

heard  a  voice  from  Heaven,  faying,  "  Fran- 
cis, anfwer  me :  Were  all  the  earth  gold, 
and  all  the  feas  and  fprings  and  ftreams 
precious  balm,  and  all  the  mountains  and 
hills  and  rocks  precious  ftones,  and  you 
fhould  find  another  treafure  as  much 
more  noble  than  thefe  things  as  gold 
is  more  noble  than  earth,  and  balm  than 
clear  water,  and  precious  ftones  than  rocks 
and  hills,  and  with  this  your  affliction  you 
were  given  that  far  nobler  treafure,  fhould 
you  not  then  be  content  indeed  and  happy 
of  heart  ? "  Saint  Francis  made  anfwer, 
faying,  "  Lord,  I  am  not  worthy  of  fuch  a 
precious  treafure  ; "  and  the  voice  of  God 
faid  unto  him,  "Rejoice,  Francis,  and  be 
exceeding  glad,  for  this  is  the  treafure  of 
Life  Eternal,  which  I  referved  for  you,  and 
with  which  from  this  time  forth  I  invert 
you ;  and  this  your  infirmity  and  affliction 
is  but  the  pledge  and  token  of  that  Bleffed 
Treafure."  Then  Saint  Francis  called  his 
Companion,  with  exceeding  great  joy  at  fo 
glorious  a  promife,  and  faid,  "  Let  us  fet 
forth  to  the  Cardinal ;"  and  comforting  firft 
Saint  Clara  with  holy  words,  and  (he  hum- 
bly taking  leave  of  them,  he  took  his  way 
towards  Rieti.  And  when  he  had  drawn 

near 


88        STJje  aittlt  jFlotoers  of 

near,  fo  vaft  a  multitude  of  people  came 
forth  to  meet  him,  that  he  could  not  there- 
fore enter  into  the  city  ;  but  he  went  to 
a  Church,  which  was  diftant  perhaps  two 
miles  from  the  town.  The  citizens,  know- 
ing that  he  was  within  that  Church,  ran 
thither  in  fuch  numbers  to  behold  him, 
that  the  vineyard  of  the  faid  Church  was 
laid  wafte,  and  the  grapes  were  all  gath- 
ered ;  at  which  the  Prieft  was  greatly 
grieved  within  himfelf,  and  repented  that 
he  had  received  Saint  Francis.  The 
Prieft's  thought  being  revealed  of  God 
to  Saint  Francis,  he  called  him  before 
him,  faying :  "  Beloved  Father,  how  many 
meafures  of  wine  does  your  vineyard  yield 
you  in  the  beft  of  years  ? "  He  anfwered, 
"Twelve  meafures."  Saint  Francis  faid: 
"I  pray  you,  Father,  patiently  to  permit 
me  to  abide  with  you  yet  a  few  days, 
forafmuch  as  I  find  much  reft  here,  and 
fuffer  every  man  to  pluck  the  grapes  of 
this  your  vineyard,  for  the  love  of  God, 
and  of  me  a  poor  beggar ;  and  I  promife 
you  in  the  name  of  my  Mafter  Chriil  Jefus, 
that  it  mall  yield  you  every  year  twenty 
meafures."  And  this  did  Saint  Francis  to 
the  end  that  he  might  fojourn  there,  where 

he 


.Safnt  jFrancfs  of  assist.     89 

he  reaped  a  rich  harveft  of  fouls,  from 
the  multitude  that  came  thither  ;  many  of 
whom  departed  thence  drunk  with  Divine 
Love,  and  forfook  the  world.  The  Prieft  had 
faith  in  the  promife  of  Saint  Francis,  and 
freely  fuffered  all  who  came  to  pluck  the 
grapes.  Wonderful  to  relate !  The  vine- 
yard was  laid  wafte  and  bare  fo  that  fcarce 
a  clutter  of  grapes  remained  upon  the  vine. 
The  time  for  the  vintage  came,  and  the 
Prieft  gathered  in  thofe  fcanty  clufters,  and 
placed  them  in  the  prefs  and  trod  them 
out,  and  according  to  the  promife  of  Saint 
Francis  they  yielded  him  twenty  meafures 
of  the  beft  wine.  By  which  miracle  is  mani- 
feftly  fet  forth,  that  as  by  the  merits  of 
Saint  Francis  the  vine  ftripped  of  its 
grapes  yet  abounded  in  wine,  fo  the  Chrif- 
tian  people,  made  bare  of  virtues  by  their 
fins,  through  the  merits  and  doctrine  of 
Saint  Francis  ofttimes  abound  in  the  good 
fruits  of  repentance. 


90        Stye  ILtttle  jFlotoers  <tf 


CHAPTER  XX. 

Of  a  very  fair  Vijlon,  feen  by  a  young  friar, 
who  held  the  Cowl  in  fuch  abomination  that 
He  was  difpofed  to  lay  afide  his  Habit  andfor- 
fake  the  Order. 

A  CERTAIN  very  noble  and  delicate 
youth  entered  the  Order  of  Saint 
Francis  ;  the  which  after  the  fpace  of  fome 
days,  by  the  inftigation  of  the  Devil,  began 
to  hold  the  Habit  which  he  wore  in  fuch 
abomination,  that  he  feemed  to  wear  the 
vileft  fackcloth  ;  he  had  a  loathing  for  the 
fleeves,  he  abhorred  the  cowl,  and  its 
length  and  harlhnefs  feemed  to  him  an 
unbearable  burden.  And  his  diftafte  for 
the  Religious  Life  ever  increafmg,  he  at 
laft  propofed  to  give  up  the  Habit  and  re- 
turn to  the  world.  It  had  become  his  cuf- 
tom,  according  as  he  had  been  taught  by 
his  mafter,  to  kneel  moft  reverently  at  what- 
soever hour  he  might  pafs  before  the  altar 
of  the  Convent  whereon  the  Body  of  Chrift 
was  kept,  and  drawing  his  cowl  over  his 
head,  to  bow  low  with  crofled  arms.  It 
happened,  that  upon  the  felfsame  night 

wherein 


Safnt  jFrancts  of  ®B8ini.     91 

wherein  he  was  to  depart  and  go  forth 
from  the  Order,  he  was  forced  to  pafs  be- 
fore the  Convent  Altar ;  and  palling,  as 
was  his  wont,  he  knelt  and  made  a  humble 
reverence.  And  fuddenly  he  was  rapt  in 
an  ecftafy,  and  was  fhown  by  God  a  won- 
drous Vifion,  forafmuch  as  he  faw  before 
him  an  almoft  infinite  number  of  faints, 
walking  as  in  proceflion,  two  by  two,  ar- 
rayed in  moft  fair  and  precious  robes  of 
linen,  and  their  faces  and  their  hands 
ihone  like  the  fun,  and  they  paffed  along 
with  angelic  fongs  and  founds  ;  among 
which  faints  were  two  more  nobly  clad  and 
adorned  than  all  the  others,  and  they  were 
fet  round  about  with  fuch  luftre  that  all 
who  gazed  upon  them  were  filled  with 
exceeding  great  Awe  ;  and  almoft  at  the 
end  of  the  proceffion  he  faw  one  decked 
with  fuch  glory  that  he  feemed  a  new-made 
knight,  more  honored  than  the  reft.  This 
youth  beholding  the  faid  vifion,  marvelled 
and  knew  not  what  this  proceflion  was 
meant  to  fignify,  and  he  ventured  not  to 
alk  any  man,  but  remained  ftruck  dumb 
with  the  delight  of  it.  And  neverthelefs 
all  the  proceflion  having  paffed  him  by,  he 
plucked  up  his  fpirits  and  ran  forthwith  to 

the 


92        STfje  ILtttle  jFlotoers  of 

the  laft  men  in  it ;  and  with  great  dread, 
he  afked  them,  faying  :  "  Oh,  my  Beloved, 
I  pray  you  that  it  may  pleafe  you  to  tell 
me  who  are  thefe  wondrous  beings,  which 
feem  fo  glorious  in  this  proceffion  ?  "  And 
they  made  anfwer  :  "Know,  O  fon,  that 
we  are  all  Gray  Friars,  who  come  hither 
from  the  fplendors  of  Paradife."  And  he 
again  queftioned  them,  faying :  "  Who  are 
yonder  two,  who  mine  yet  more  radiant 
than  the  reft  ?  "  They  made  anfwer : 
"  Thofe  are  Saint  Francis  and  Saint  An- 
tony ;  and  that  laft,  whom  you  fee  fo 
greatly  honored,  is  a  Holy  Brother  who 
died  but  newly  ;  who,  forafmuch  as  he 
fought  valiantly  againft  all  temptation, 
and  perfevered  unto  the  end,  we  conduct 
in  triumph  to  the  glories  of  Paradife ;  and 
thefe  garments  of  fair  linen,  wherewith  we 
are  arrayed,  are  given  us  of  God  in  exchange 
for  the  coarfe  tunics  which  patiently  we 
wore  in  the  Religious  Order ;  and  the  glo- 
rious luftre  which  you  fee  round  about  us 
is  given  us  of  God  for  the  Humility  and  Pa- 
tience and  for  the  Holy  Poverty  and  Obe- 
dience and  Chaftity  which  we  obferved  unto 
the  end.  And  therefore,  fon,  hold  it  not 
hard  to  bear  the  fackcloth  of  Religion  which 

is 


.Saint  jFcancis  of  Assist.     93 

is  fo  fruitful  of  reward  ;  forafmuch,  as  if 
with  the  fackcloth  of  Saint  Francis,  for 
love  of  Chrift,  you  defpife  the  world,  and 
mortify  the  flefh,  and  fight  a  good  fight 
againft  the  Foul  Fiend,  you  fhall  have  rai- 
ment like  unto  that  which  we  do  wear,  and 
a  glory  of  light."  And  having  heard  thefe 
words,  the  youth  returned  to  his  fenfes, 
and  greatly  comforted  by  the  vifion,  he 
drove  far  from  him  all  temptation,  and  con- 
feffed  his  fin  before  his  Superior  and  the 
Brethren ;  and  from  that  time  forth  he 
ardently  longed  for  afperity  of  penitence 
and  of  attire,  and  ended  his  life  in  the 
Order  in  great  holinefs. 


CHAPTER    XXI. 

Of  the  Moft  Holy  Miracle,  which  Saint  Francis 
performed,  when  he  converted  the  very  fierce 
Wolf  at  Gubbio. 

IN  the  days  when  Saint  Francis  dwelt  in 
the  city  of  Gubbio,  there  appeared  in 
that  region  a  very  great,  terrible,  and  fierce 
Wolf,  the  which  not  only  devoured  animals, 
but  even  alfo  men  ;  infomuch  that  all  the 

citizens 


94        ft!)*  ZUttle  j^loiDers  of 

citizens  of  that  place  ftood  in  great  dread  of 
him  ;  forafmuch  as  many  times  he  came  very 
near  to  the  town  ;  and  neverthelefs  none 
who  chanced  to  meet  with  him  alone  could 
in  any  wife  defend  himfelf  againft  him. 
And  fo  great  was  the  fear  of  this  Wolf, 
that  none  ventured  forth  into  the  country. 
Wherefore  Saint  Francis,  having  compaf- 
fion  upon  the  men  of  that  land,  defired  to 
go  forth  unto  this  Wolf,  —  albeit  the  citi- 
zens, every  man  among  them,counfelled  him 
againft  it, — and  making  the  fign  of  the  Moft 
Holy  Crofs,  he  fet  forth  into  the  country 
round  about,  he  with  his  Companions,  put- 
ting all  his  truft  in  God.  And  the  others 
doubting  whether  they  Ihould  go  farther, 
Saint  Francis  took  his  way  towards  the 
place  where  the  Wolf  lay.  And  lo,  feeing 
fo  many  citizens,  who  had  come  forth  to 
fee  fuch  a  miracle,  the  faid  Wolf  came 
out  to  meet  Saint  Francis  with  open 
mouth  ;  and  drawing  near  to  him,  Saint 
Francis  made  the  fign  of  the  Moft  Holy 
Crofs,  and  called  unto  him,  faying:  "Come 
hither,  Brother  Wolf ;  I  command  you  in  the 
name  of  Chrift  Jefus,  that  you  do  no  manner 
of  evil  either  to  me  or  to  any  other  man." 
Wonderful  to  relate !  Immediately  that 

Saint 


Saint  jFi-ancts  of  assist.     95 

Saint  Francis  made  the  fign  of  the  Crofs, 
the  terrible  Wolf  clofed  his  jaws  and  gave 
over  running ;  and  hearing  this  command, 
he  came  meekly  as  any  lamb,  and  laid  him- 
felf  down  at  the  feet  of  Saint  Francis. 
And  thereupon  Saint  Francis  addreffed 
him  in  thefe  words,  faying  :  "  Brother  Wolf, 
you  do  much  harm  in  thefe  parts,  and  you 
have  done  great  evil,  killing  and  devour- 
ing God's  creatures  without  His  fovereign 
leave.  And  not  only  have  you  killed  and 
devoured  beafts,  but  you  have  dared  to  kill 
men,  made  in  the  image  of  God  ;  for  the 
which  thing  you  are  worthy  of  the  gallows, 
like  any  thief  and  villanous  murderer ;  and 
all  the  people  cry  out  and  murmur  againft 
you,  and  all  the  land  is  hoftile  unto  you. 
But  I  defire,  Brother  Wolf,  to  make  peace 
between  you  and  them,  fo  that  you  may 
offend  no  more,  and  they  fliall  forgive  you 
all  your  paft  offences,  and  neither  men  nor 
dogs  mail  purfue  you  any  more."  Having 
uttered  thefe  words,  the  Wolf  by  the  mo- 
tions of  his  body  and  his  tail  and  his  eyes, 
and  by  bowing  his  head,  fet  forth  that  he 
accepted  that  which  Saint  Francis  faid,  and 
defired  to  obferve  it.  Then  Saint  Francis 
began  again  :  "  Brother  Wolf,  inafmuch  as  it 

pleafes 


96        ftije  Utttle  jFlotoera  of 


pleafes  you  to  make  and  to  keep  this  peace, 
I  promife  you  that  I  will  fee  to  it  that  your 
living  fhall  be  given  you  continually,  fo 
long  as  you  fliall  live,  by  the  men  of  this 
country,  fo  that  you  fhall  not  fuffer  hunger; 
forafmuch  as  I  am  well  aware  that  hunger 
has  caufed  your  every  crime.  But  fmce  I 
get  for  you  this  grace,  I  require,  Brother 
Wolf,  your  promife  never  again  to  do  harm 
to  any  human  being,  neither  to  any  beaft. 
Do  you  promife  ?  "  And  the  Wolf,  by  bow- 
ing his  head,  plainly  gave  fign  that  he 
promifed.  And  Saint  Francis  faid  farther: 
"  Brother  Wolf,  I  defire  you  to  give  me 
fome  token  of  this  your  promife,  although 
I  have  full  faith  in  your  loyalty."  And 
Saint  Francis  ftretching  forth  his  hand,  the 
Wolf  lifted  up  his  right  paw  and  confid- 
ingly laid  it  in  the  hand  of  Saint  Francis, 
giving  him  this  pledge  of  his  faith,  as  beft 
he  could.  And  then  Saint  Francis  faid  : 
"  Brother  Wolf,  I  charge  you  in  the  name 
of  Chrift  Jefus  that  you  now  follow  me,  noth- 
ing doubting,  and  we  will  go  forth  and  con- 
clude this  peace  in  God's  name."  And  the 
Wolf  obediently  followed  after  him,  like  any 
lamb;  fo  that  the  citizens,  feeing  this,  mar- 
velled greatly.  And  fuddenly  the  news  was 

fpread 


j&atnt  jFrancts  ot  Assist.     97 

fpread  throughout  all  the  city :  fo  that  the 
people,  men  as  well  as  women,  great  as  well 
as  fmall,  young  as  well  as  old,  flocked  to 
the  market-place  to  behold  the  Wolf  with 
Saint  Francis.  And  all  the  people  being 
gathered  together,  Saint  Francis  rofe  up 
and  began  to  preach  to  them,  faying  among 
other  things  :  "  Inafmuch  as  for  your  fins, 
God  hath  permitted  certain  evil  things  and 
fundry  peftilences  ;  and  far  more  danger- 
ous as  are  the  flames  of  Hell,  which  en- 
dure eternally  for  the  damned,  than  is  the 
wrath  of  the  Wolf,  which  can  but  kill  the 
body,  —  so  much  more  therefore  fhould 
ye  fear  the  jaws  of  Hell,  when  the  mouth 
of  one  fmall  animal  can  terrify  and  alarm 
fo  vaft  a  multitude !  Turn  then,  my  Be- 
loved, unto  God,  and  repent  worthily  of 
your  fins,  and  God  mail  rid  you  of  the  Wolf 
in  this  prefent  time,  and  of  the  fires  of  Hell 
in  time  to  come."  And  having  preached, 
Saint  Francis  faid :  "Hearken,  my  Brethren : 
Brother  Wolf,  who  ftands  here  before  you, 
hath  promifed  and  given  me  a  token  of  his 
good  faith  to  make  peace  with  you,  and 
never  to  offend  you  more  in  anything  what- 
foever  ;  and  you  muft  promife  henceforth  to 
give  him  daily  all  that  is  needful  to  him, 
7  and 


98        arije  iLittle  Jflotorrs  of 

and  I  will  be  bailfman  for  him,  that  he  will 
firmly  hold  to  his  compact  of  peace."  Then 
all  the  people  with  one  accord  promifed  to 
feed  him  continually.  And  Saint  Francis, 
before  them  all,  faid  to  the  Wolf:  "And  you, 
Brother  Wolf,  do  you  promife  to  keep  the 
peace  with  thefe  people,  and  to  offend  no 
more  againft  men,  neither  againft  beafts, 
nor  any  other  creatures  ? "  And  the  Wolf 
knelt  before  him,  and  bowed  his  head, 
and  with  fubmiffive  motions  of  body  and 
tail  and  ears  fhowed  in  fo  far  as  he  was 
able,  that  he  would  keep  his  every  prom- 
ife. Saint  Francis  faid:  "Brother  Wolf,  I 
defire  that  even  as  you  gave  me  a  pledge 
of  this  your  promife  outfide  the  gates,  fo 
here  before  all  thefe  people  you  fhall  give 
me  a  token  of  your  good  faith,  and  that 
you  will  not  cheat  me  of  my  promife  and 
fecurity  which  I  have  given  for  you."  Then 
the  Wolf,  lifting  up  his  right  paw,  laid  it  in 
the  hand  of  Saint  Francis.  Upon  this  ac- 
tion and  upon  thofe  which  had  gone  before, 
there  was  fuch  rejoicing  and  fuch  marvel- 
ling in  all  the  people,  both  at  the  devotion 
of  the  Saint,  and  at  the  novelty  of  the 
miracle,  and  at  the  peace  with  the  Wolf, 
that  all  began  to  cry  aloud  unto  Heaven, 

praifmg 


Saint  jFtancis  oC  Assist,     99 

praifmg  and  bleffing  God,  that  had  fent 
unto  them  Saint  Francis,  who  by  his  great 
merits  had  freed  them  from  the  mouth  of 
this  cruel  beaft.  And  then  the  faid  Wolf 
lived  two  years  in  Gubbio,  and  entered 
meekly  into  every  houfe,  going  from  door 
to  door,  doing  no  manner  of  mifchief  to 
any  man,  and  none  being  done  to  him.  And 
he  was  courteoufly  noiirifhed  by  the  peo- 
ple ;  and  roaming  thus  through  the  land 
and  from  houfe  to  houfe,  never  any  dog 
barked  at  his  coming  in  or  at  his  going 
out.  Finally,  after  two  years,  Brother  Wolf 
died  of  old  age  ;  at  the  which  the  citizens 
mourned  much,  inafmuch  as  feeing  him 
moving  fo  meekly  through  the  city,  they 
were  the  more  mindful  of  the  virtue  and 
fanclity  of  Saint  Francis. 


CHAPTER    XXII. 
How  Saint  Francis  tamed  the  wild  Turtle-Doves. 

A  BOY  one  day  took  a  number  of  turtle- 
doves,  and    carrying    them    to   the 
market-place  for  fale,  he  met  Saint  Fran- 
cis, who  ever  felt  fingular  companion  for 

all 


ico      ftije  ILittle  jFlotoers  of 

all  gentle  animals.  Gazing  at  thefe  turtle- 
doves with  pitiful  eyes,  he  faid  to  the  boy : 
"  Oh,  good  youth,  give  them  to  me,  I  pray 
you  ;  nor  fufler  birds  fo  meek  and  gentle, 
to  whom  chafte,  humble,  and  faithful  fouls 
are  likened  in  the  Scriptures,  to  fall  into 
the  hands  of  cruel  men,  who  will  flay 
them."  The  boy,  fuddenly  infpired  of 
God,  gave  them  all  to  Saint  Francis;  and 
he  receiving  them  in  his  bofom,  began  to 
fpeak  fweetly  unto  them  :  "  O  my  Sifters, 
fimple,  chafte,  and  innocent  doves,  why  did 
ye  fuffer  yourfelves  to  be  taken  ?  I  would 
now  refcue  you  from  death,  and  make  nefts 
for  you,  that  ye  may  increafe  and  bring 
forth  young,  according  to  the  command  of 
the  Lord  our  God."  And  Saint  Francis 
went  forth,  and  made  nefts  for  every  one ; 
and  they,  ufmg  them,  began  to  lay  eggs, 
and  to  bring  forth  young  before  the 
Friars;  "and  fo  tame  were  they  and  con- 
forted  fo  freely  with  Saint  Francis  and  the 
other  Friars,"  as  they  had  been  hens  and 
ever  fed  from  their  hands,  and  departed  not 
from  among  them,  until  Saint  Francis  with 
his  bleffing  gave  them  leave  to  fly  thence. 
And  to  the  boy  who  gave  them  to  him 
Saint  Francis  faid  :  "  Son,  you  fhall  yet  be 

a 


Saint  jFraucts  of  Assist.   101 

a  brother  in  this  Order,  and  fhall  ferve 
Chrift  Jefus  worthily,"  and  fo  it  was  ;  foraf- 
much  as  the  boy  became  a  friar  and  lived 
in  the  Order  with  great  fanctity. 


CHAPTER    XXIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  fet  free  the  Friar  who  had 
finned  with  the  aid  of  the  Devil. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  being  once  at  prayer 
within  the  Convent  of  Portiuncula, 
beheld  by  Divine  Revelation  all  that  Con- 
vent furrounded  and  befieged  of  Demons, 
after  the  manner  of  an  huge  army  ;  but 
none  among  them  could  enter  into  the 
Convent,  forafmuch  as  thofe  friars  were  of 
fuch  fanctity,  that  the  Demons  found  no 
man  among  them  into  whom  they  might 
enter.  But  perfevering  thus,  upon  a  cer- 
tain day,  one  of  thofe  fame  friars  grew  angry 
with  another  one,  and  took  counfel  with  his 
own  heart,  how  he  might  accufe  him  and 
take  vengeance  upon  him  ;  for  the  which 
thing,  hp  cherifhing  thus  this  evil  thought, 
the  Demon,  finding  the  door  open,  entered 
in  and  placed  himfelf  upon  the  neck  of  that 

fame 


102      &lje  Utttle  jFlotoeni  of 

fame  friar.  The  pious  and  careful  Shep- 
herd, who  vvatcheth  ever  over  his  flocks, 
feeing  therefore  that  the  Wolf  had  entered 
in  to  devour  his  Sheep,  fuddenly  fummoned 
that  friar  before  him,  and  charged  him  that 
he  Ihould  forthwith  confefs  the  Poifon  of 
Hate  conceived  of  him  againft  his  neighbor, 
whereby  he  had  fallen  into  the  hands  of  the 
Enemy.  Upon  which  he,  frighted  to  feel 
himfelf  read  of  the  Holy  Father,  ftraight- 
way  made  known  all  his  venom  and  rancor, 
and  revealed  his  guilt,  and  humbly  begged 
for  juftice  tempered  with  mercy;  and  this 
done,  being  abfolved  from  his  fin,  and  hav- 
ing received  his  punimment,  fuddenly,  be- 
fore the  face  of  Saint  Francis,  the  Demon 
departed  thence ;  and  the  friar  thus  fet 
free  from  the  hands  of  the  cruel  Beaft, 
through  the  kindnefs  of  the  good  Shepherd, 
gave  thanks  unto  God  :  and  returning  chaf- 
tened  and  corrected  to  the  flock  of  the 
Holy  Shepherd,  thenceforth  lived  in  great 
fanclity. 


Saint  jFtancis  of  Assist.    103 


CHAPTER    XXIV. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  the  Sultan  of 
Babylon  to  the  Faith. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  led  by  zeal  for  the 
faith  of  Chrift  and  by  his  longing  for 
martyrdom,  went  upon  a  time  acrofs  the 
feas  with  twelve  of  his  moft  Holy  Compan- 
ions, bent  upon  going  ftraight  to  the  Sultan 
of  Babylon  ;  and  coming  into  a  region  of 
Saracens,  where  the  roads  were  guarded 
by  certain  men  fo  cruel,  that  no  Chriftian 
who  paffed  that  way  could  efcape  death,  it 
pleafed  God  that  they  were  not  flain,  but 
captured,  beaten,  and  bound,  and  were  led 
before  the  Sultan.  And  being  before  him, 
Saint  Francis,  taught  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
preached  fo  divinely  concerning  the  faith 
of  Chrift,  how  that  for  that  faith  he  would 
even  walk  through  fire.  Upon  which  the 
Sultan  began  to  feel  exceeding  great  admi- 
ration for  him,  both  for  the  Steadfaflnefs 
of  his  Faith,  and  for  the  Contempt  for  the 
World  which  he  perceived  in  him,  —  inaf- 
much  as  he  would  receive  no  gift  from  him, 
being  yet  moft  poor,  —  and  as  well  for  the 

martyr's 


104      ®3l*  ^tttle  jFlotonrs  of 

martyr's  fervor,  which  was  apparent  in 
him.  Thenceforth  the  Sultan  hearkened 
unto  him  gladly,  and  begged  him  that  he 
would  return  to  him  oft,  freely  conceding 
to  him  and  to  his  Mates  that  they  fhould 
preach  wherefoever  it  feemed  good  to  them  ; 
and  he  gave  them  a  token,  which  fhould  let 
no  man  offend  them.  .  .  .  Finally,  Saint 
Francis  feeing  by  Divine  Revelation  that 
he  could  reap  no  more  fruits  in  thofe 
parts,  difpofed  all  things  to  return  with  his 
Companions  to  the  land  of  the  Faithful ; 
and  calling  them  all  together,  he  went  into 
the  prefence  of  the  Sultan,  and  took  leave 
of  him.  And  then  faid  the  Sultan  unto 
him  :  "  Brother  Francis,  I  would  gladly  be- 
come a  convert  to  the  faith  of  Chrift,  but 
I  fear  to  do  fo  now ;  forafmuch,  as  fhould 
my  people  be  ware  of  it,  they  would  flay 
both  you  and  me  and  all  your  Companions ; 
and  feeing  that  you  may  yet  do  many  good 
works,  and  I  have  many  weighty  matters 
to  def patch,  I  would  not  now  occafion  your 
death  and  mine.  But  teach  me,  I  pray,  how 
I  may  be  faved  ;  I  am  prepared  to  do  that 
which  you  may  lay  upon  me."  Then  faid 
Saint  Francis  :  "  Sir,  I  now  take  my  leave  of 
you  ;  but  when  that  I  am  once  more  in  mine 

own 


jFrancis  of  Assist.    105 

own  country  and  afcend  into  Heaven  by 
the  Grace  of  God  ;  after  my  death,  if  it  be 
pleafing  in  the  fight  of  God,  I  will  fend 
unto  you  two  of  my  Brethren,  from  whom 
you  fhall  receive  the  holy  baptifm  of  Chrift, 
and  you  fhall  be  faved,  even  as  my  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift  hath  revealed  unto  me.  And 
do  you  betwixt  now  and  then  defpatch  all 
your  matters,  to  the  end  that  when  the 
Grace  of  God  fhall  come  to  you  it  may  find 
you  well  armed  with  faith  and  devotion." 
And  thus  he  promifed  to  do  and  did.  This 
done,  Saint  Francis  returned  home  with 
the  venerable  train  of  his  holy  Compan- 
ions, and  after  fome  years  Saint  Francis 
by  his  bodily  death  rendered  up  his  foul 
to  God.  And  the  Sultan  falling  ill  was 
mindful  of  the  promife  of  Saint  Francis, 
and  ftationed  guards  at  certain  points,  and 
commanded  that  if  two  friars  fhould  appear 
clad  in  the  garb  of  Saint  Francis  they 
fhould  inftantly  be  brought  before  him. 
At  that  time  Saint  Francis  appeared  unto 
two  friars,  and  charged  them  that  they 
fhould  go  without  delay  unto  the  Sultan 
and  procure  his  falvation,  even  as  he  had 
promifed  :  the  which  friars  ftraightway 
arofe,  and  patting  over  the  fea,  were  by  the 

faid 


io6      STije  ILfttle  Jplotoers  of 

faid  guards  led  before  the  Sultan  ;  and  fee- 
ing them,  the  Sultan  rejoiced  greatly  and 
faid  :  "  Now,  indeed,  I  know  that  God  hath 
fent  his  fervants  unto  me  for  my  falvation, 
according  to  the  promife  made  me  by  Saint 
Francis  through  divine  Revelation."  Re- 
ceiving then  the  doctrines  of  the  faith  of 
Chrift,  and  Holy  Baptifm  of  thofe  fame 
friars,  thus  born  again  in  Chrift,  he  died  of 
that  illnefs,  and  his  foul  was  faved  by  the 
merits  and  the  prayers  of  Saint  Francis. 


CHAPTER   XXV. 

How  Saint  Francis  miraculoufly  healed  the  Leper 
in  Body  and  in  Soul ;  and  that  which  the  Soul 
fpake,  afcending  into  Heaven. 

THAT  true  difciple  of  Chrift,  Saint  Fran- 
cis, living  in  this  miferable  life,  with 
all  his  ftrength  ftrove  ever  to  follow  Chrift, 
the  Perfect  Way,  whence  it  ofttimes  befell 
by  divine  action  that  whereas  he  healed  a 
man's  body,  God  did  heal  his  foul  in  that 
felfsame  hour,  even  as  we  read  of  Chrift. 
And  inafmuch  as  He  not  only  freely  be- 
came the  fervant  of  Lepers,  but  further- 
more 


<&afnt  jFtancts  of  &sstsf.    107 

more  ordered  that  the  Brothers  of  his 
Order,  whether  journeying  or  fojourning 
anywhere  in  this  world,  fhould  become  the 
fervants  of  Lepers  for  the  love  of  Chrift,  who 
for  our  love  was  fain  to  be  held  a  Leper, 
it  fell  out  that  on  a  time  at  a  Convent  near 
which  Saint  Francis  was  then  abiding,  the 
Brethren  were  ferving  in  ahofpital  for  Lep- 
ers and  infirm  ;  in  which  was  a  Leper  fo 
peevifh,  fo  intolerable,  and  fo  arrogant  that 
all  men  affuredly  deemed,  and  fo  indeed  it 
was,  that  he  was  poffeffed  of  a  Devil,  foraf- 
much  as  alike  with  words  and  with  blows 
he  terribly  reviled  all  them  that  ferved  him ; 
nay,  yet  worfe,  he  fcandaloufly  blafphemed 
againft  the  bleffed  Chrift  and  his  moft  Holy 
Mother  the  Virgin  Mary,  fo  that  none 
could  in  any  wife  be  found  who  could  or 
would  ferve  him.  And  albeit  the  Brethren 
truly  ftudy  meekly  to  endure  injuries  and 
hfults  to  themfelves,  to  the  end  that  pa- 
tience may  have  her  perfect  work,  never- 
thelefs,  thofe  to  Chrift  and  his  Mother 
their  confciences  could  not  fuffer,  and 
every  man  among  them  determined  to 
leave  the  faid  Leper :  but  this  they  would 
not  do  before  they  had  duly  declared  their 
purpofe  unto  Saint  Francis,  who  was  then 

abiding 


io8      an!)*  Hittle  jHotoers  of 

abiding  at  a  Convent  hard  by.  And  hav- 
ing fignified  to  him  their  purpofe,  Saint 
Francis  came  unto  that  perverfe  Leper ;  and 
drawing  nigh  to  him,  he  greeted  him,  fay- 
ing :  "  God  grant  thee  peace,  my  beloved 
Brother."  The  Leper  made  anfwer,  "  What 
peace  can  I  have  of  God,  Which  hath  robbed 
me  of  peace  and  of  every  good  thing,  and 
hath  made  me  all  corrupt  and  ftinking  ? " 
And  Saint  Francis  faid,  "  Son,  have  pa- 
tience, forafmuch  as  the  infirmities  of  the 
body  are  given  us  of  God  in  this  world 
for  the  falvation  of  our  foul,  they  being  of 
exceeding  merit  when  they  are  borne 
meekly."  The  fick  man  replied,  "And  can 
I  endure  the  continual  Pain  that  torments 
me  night  and  day  ?  And  not  only  am  I 
afflicted  by  mine  infirmity,  but  far  worfe  do 
I  fuffer  from  the  Brethren  whom  you  have 
given  me  to  wait  upon  me,  and  they  ferve 
me  not  as  they  fhould."  Then  Saint  Fran- 
cis, knowing  by  a  revelation  that  this  Leper 
was  poffeffed  of  an  evil  fpirit,  went  out  and 
prayed,  and  entreated  God  pioufly  for  him. 
And  his  prayer  ended,  he  returned  to  him 
again  and  fpake  thefe  words  :  "  My  Son, 
I  myfelf  will  ferve  you,  fmce  you  are  ill- 
content  with  the  others."  "It  pleafeth  me 

well," 


.Saint  jFrancis  of  Assist.    109 

well,"  faid  the  lick  man  ;  "  but  what  can 
you  do  for  me  more  than  the  others  ? " 
Saint  Francis  anfwered,  "  Whatfoever  you 
would  that  I  mould  do."  Said  the  Leper, 
"  I  would  that  you  warn  me,  every  inch  of 
me ;  forafmuch  as  fo  terribly  I  ftink  that 
I  myfelf  can  ill  endure  it."  Then  Saint 
Francis  ftraight  commanded  water  to  be 
heated  with  many  fweet-fmelling  herbs ; 
then  flopping  him,  he  began  to  warn  him 
with  his  own  hands,  another  Brother  pour- 
ing on  the  water ;  and  by  a  divine  mira- 
cle, wherefoever  Saint  Francis  laid  his 
holy  hands  upon  him  the  Leprofy  left  him 
and  his  flefh  remained  perfectly  found. 
And  even  as  his  flefh  began  to  heal,  fo  too 
his  foul  began  to  be  made  whole  ;  hence 
the  Leper  feeing  himfelf  beginning  to  be 
cured,  began  to  have  great  compunction 
and  repentance  for  his  fins,  and  began  to 
weep  very  bitterly  ;  for  as  his  body  was 
cleanfed  of  the  Leprofy  from  without  by  the 
warning  of  the  water,  even  fo  his  foul  was 
cleanfed  of  Sin  from  within  by  correction 
and  tears.  And  being  wholly  healed,  alike 
in  body  and  in  foul,  he  humbly  con- 
feffed  himfelf  guilty,  and  cried  aloud,  weep- 
ing :  "  Woe  unto  me,  for  I  am  worthy  of 

Hell-fire 


no      STfje  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

Hell-fire  for  the  injuries  and  infults  which 
I  have  heaped  upon  the  Brethren,  and  for 
the  peevifhnefs  and  blafphemy  which  I 
have  manifefted  towards  God."  Hence  for 
two  long  weeks  he  pei  fevered  in  bitter 
tears  for  his  fins,  and  in  befeeching  mercy 
from  God,  making  ample  confeffion  to  the 
Prieft.  And  Saint  Francis,  feeing  fo  plain 
a  miracle,  which  God  had  wrought  by  his 
hand,  gave  thanks  to  the  Lord  and  de- 
parted thence,  going  into  remote  countries  : 
forafmuch  as  from  Humility  he  defired  to 
flee  all  Vainglory,  and  in  all  his  acts  fought 
only  the  Honor  and  Glory  of  God  and  not 
his  own.  Then,  as  was  pleafmg  in  the 
fight  of  God,  the  faid  Leper,  made  whole 
in  body  and  in  foul,  after  two  long  weeks 
of  penitence  fell  ill  of  another  malady,  and 
armed  with  the  Sacraments  of  the  Church 
he  died  a  holy  death,  and  his  foul  going 
into  Paradife  appeared  in  mid-air  to  Saint 
Francis,  who  was  at  prayer  in  a  thick  wood, 
and  faid  unto  him,  "  Know  you  me  ?  "  "  Who 
are  you  ? "  faid  Saint  Francis.  "  I  am  that 
Leper  whom  the  blefled  Chrift  healed  for 
your  merits,  and  to-day  I  enter  into  Eternal 
Life :  for  which  I  give  thanks  to  God  and 
to  you.  Bleffed  be  your  foul  and  your 

body; 


Saint  jfcancts  of  Assist.    1 1 1 

body  ;  and  bleffed  be  your  holy  words  and 
deeds ;  forafmuch  as  through  you  many 
fouls  fhall  be  faved  in  this  world  :  and 
know  that  no  day  paffeth  in  this  world 
upon  which  the  Holy  Angels  and  the  other 
Saints  do  not  thank  the  Lord  for  the  facred 
fruits  which  you  and  your  Order  have 
gathered  in  divers  parts  of  the  earth  ;  and 
therefore  be  you  greatly  comforted  and 
praife  the  Lord,  and  His  bleffing  fhall  reft 
upon  your  head."  And  faying  thefe  words 
he  rofe  into  Heaven,  and  Saint  Francis  was 
left  much  comforted. 


CHAPTER    XXVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  three  Thieves  and 
Murderers,  and  made  them  Brethren  ;  and  of 
the  mojt  glorious  Vifion  beheld  of  one  of  them 
who  was  a  mojl  holy  Brother. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  went  once  through 
the  defert  of  Borgo  to  San  Sepolcro, 
and  paffing  by  a  Caftle,  which  was  called 
Monte  Cafale,  there  came  forth  to  meet 
him  a  noble  and  delicate  Youth,  who  faid 
to  him,  "  Father,  I  would  gladly  become 

one 


one  of  your  Brethren."  Saint  Francis  an- 
fwered  him,  "  Son,  you  are  young,  delicate, 
and  noble ;  peradventure  you  could  not  en- 
dure the  poverty  and  rudenefs  of  our  life." 
And  he  faid,  "  Father,  are  ye  not  men  like 
unto  me  ?  Then  that  which  ye  do  bear  can 
I  alfo  endure  by  the  favor  of  Jefus  Chrift." 
This  anfwer  was  moft  pleafmg  to  Saint  Fran- 
cis ;  wherefore,  bleffing  him,  he  ftraightway 
received  him  into  the  Order  and  put  upon 
him  the  name  of  Brother  Angelo ;  and  fo 
worthily  did  the  Youth  comport  himfelf, 
that  but  a  brief  fpace  thence  Saint  Fran- 
cis made  him  Superior  of  that  felfsame 
Convent  of  Monte  Cafale.  In  thofe  days 
that  region  was  infefted  by  three  thieves 
of  much  renown,  who  greatly  plagued  the 
land  ;  the  fame  came  one  day  to  the  abode 
of  the  Brethren  and  prayed  the  faid  Brother 
Angelo,  the  Superior,  that  he  would  feed 
them  ;  and  the  Father  Superior  anfwered 
them  after  this  fafhion,  reproaching  them 
forely:  "You,  Thieves  and  cruel  Homicides, 
ye  are  not  alhamed  to  fteal  the  wages  of 
other  men's  toil ;  nay,  more,  bold  and 
fancy  that  ye  are,  ye  would  fain  devour  the 
alms  which  are  beftowed  upon  the  fervants 
of  God ;  ye  are  unworthy  that  the  earth 

fhould 


jFranctfi  of  &sstat.    1 1 3 

fhould  fuftain  ye  ;  forafmuch  as  ye  have  no 
reverence  either  for  man,  or  for  the  God 
which  created  ye.  Go,  therefore,  about  your 
bufmefs,  and  appear  no  more  within  thefe 
walls  ; "  upon  which  they,  being  difturbed, 
departed  thence  much  wroth.  And  behold, 
Saint  Francis  returning  home  with  bread 
and  a  fmall  veffel  of  wine  which  he  and 
his  Companions  had  begged,  and  the  Supe- 
rior, narrating  to  him  how  he  had  driven 
thofe  men  thence,  Saint  Francis  blamed 
him  much,  faying  that  he  had  borne  him- 
felf  barbaroufly  ;  inafmuch  as  fmners  were 
more  readily  led  back  to  God  by  mildnefs 
than  by  fierce  reproof:  hence  our  Matter 
Jefus  Chrift,  whofe  Gofpel  we  have  prom- 
ifed  to  obferve,  faid  that  He  came  not  to 
heal  thofe  who  were  whole,  but  the  fick ; 
and  that  He  came  not  to  call  the  juft  but 
fmners  to  repent :  wherefore  many  times 
He  brake  bread  with  them.  Seeing,  there- 
fore, that  you  have  finned  againft  charity  and 
againft  the  holy  Gofpel  of  Chrift,  I  charge  you 
by  your  vows  of  obedience  that  ftraightway 
you  do  take  this  Scrip  with  Bread,  and  this 
Veffel  of  Wine,  and  haften  after  them,  over 
mountains  and  through  valleys,  until  you 
fhall  find  them,  and  prefent  them  with 

this 


ii4      Stfje  Utttie  jFlotoers  of 

this  Bread  and  Wine  in  my  name ;  and  then 
mail  you  kneel  before  them  and  humbly 
confefs  to  them  your  fin  and  your  cruel  con- 
duct, and  entreat  them  then  in  my  name  to 
do  no  more  evil,  but  to  fear  God  and  offend 
no  more  againfl  His  Holy  Name;  and  if 
they  will  do  fo,  I  promife  to  provide  for 
their  wants  and  to  give  them  a  conftant 
ftore  to  eat  and  to  drink  :  and  when  that 
you  have  told  them  this,  return  hither 
humbly."  While  the  faid  Superior  went 
forth  to  do  Saint  Francis'  bidding,  he  fell 
on  his  knees  and  prayed  God  that  He 
would  foften  the  hearts  of  thofe  Thieves 
and  lead  them  to  repent.  The  obedient 
Superior  meeting  them  offered  them  the 
Bread  and  Wine  and  faid  thofe  words  which 
Saint  Francis  had  taught  him.  And  as  it 
pleafed  God,  thofe  Thieves  eating  the  alms 
beftowed  by  Saint  Francis  began  to  fay 
to  one  another :  "  Woe  unto  us,  haplefs 
wretches  !  and  what  bitter  pangs  mail  we 
endure  in  Hell !  For  not  only  do  we  rob 
our  fellow-men  with  ftripes  and  cruel  blows, 
but  we  alfo  flay  them ;  nor  for  all  thefe 
wicked  and  accurfed  deeds  which  we  do,  do 
we  feel  any  remorfe  or  fear  of  God,  and  be- 
hold this  holy  Brother,  which  hath  followed 

us 


Scant  jFrcmcfs  of  Assist.    115 

us  hither  for  a.  few  words  with  which  he 
juftly  chid  our  Evil  Craft,  and  hath  humbly 
confeffed  to  us  his  guilt,  and  moreover 
hath  beftowed  on  us  Bread  and  Wine,  and 
fuch  liberal  promifes  from  the  Holy  Father: 
verily  thefe  Holy  Brethren  are  men  of  God, 
which  are  well  worthy  of  Paradife ;  and  we 
are  fons  of  everlafting  perdition,  who  are 
well  worthy  of  the  fires  of  Hell,  and  every 
day  does  but  add  to  our  perdition  ;  and  we 
know  not  whether  for  the  many  fins  which 
we  have  hitherto  committed  we  can  yet 
turn  to  the  mercy  of  God."  Thefe  and 
fimilar  words  being  fpoken  by  one  among 
them,  the  others  faid  :  "  Surely  you  do 
fpeak  the  truth,  but  what  are  we  to  do  ? " 
"Let  us  go,"  faid  one,  "to  Saint  Francis, 
and  if  he  give  us  hope  that  we  may  ftill 
appeal  to  the  Mercy  of  God  for  our  fins,  we 
will  do  whatfover  he  may  command,  and 
fo  we  may  fet  our  fouls  free  from  the  pains 
of  Hell."  This  counfel  was  pleafing  in 
the  fight  of  the  others ;  and  all  three 
agreeing  together  among  themfelves  pro- 
ceeded in  hot  hafte  to  Saint  Francis  and 
faid  to  him  thus :  "  Father,  fo  great  and  fo 
terrible  are  our  fins  that  we  fear  we  can  no 
longer  turn  to  the  Mercy  of  God  :  but  if  you 

have 


n6      Sfje  atttle  jHotorrs  of 

have  any  hope  that  God  will  grant  us  His 
Mercy,  behold  we  are  ready  to  do  whatfo- 
ever  you  fhall  bid  us,  and  to  do  penitence 
with  you."  Then  Saint  Francis,  detaining 
them  affectionately  and  with  kindnefs,  com- 
forted them  with  many  inftances,  and  affur- 
ing  them  of  the  Mercy  of  God,  promifed 
them  truly  to  entreat  God  for  them,  and 
fhowed  them  that  the  Mercy  of  God  is  infi- 
nite :  and  if  we  have  an  infinite  number  of 
fins,  yet  God's  Mercy  is  greater  ftill  than 
our  fins,  according  to  the  teachings  of  the 
Gofpel ;  and  the  Apoftle  Paul  faith,  "Chrift 
came  into  the  world  to  fave  finners."  Hear- 
ing thefe  words,  and  other  like  teachings, 
the  faid  three  Thieves  renounced  the  Devil 
and  all  his  works,  Saint  Francis  received 
them  into  the  Order,  and  they  began  to  do 
fore  penitence;  and  two  of  them  lived  not 
long  after  their  converfion,  and  went  thence 
to  Paradife.  But  the  third  furviving,  and 
meditating  on  his  fins,  gave  himfelf  such 
penitence  to  do,  that  for  fifteen  years  con- 
tinually, befide  the  ordinary  fafts,  which 
he  obferved  in  common  with  the  other 
Brothers,  three  days  in  every  week  he 
fafted  upon  bread  and  water,  and  went 
even  barefoot,  and  with  but  a  fingle  tunic 

to 


jFuaims  of  ftssisf.    117 

to  his  back,  fleeping  never  after  Matins. 
About  that  time  Saint  Francis  pafTed  away 
from  this  miferable  life.  This  Man  hav- 
ing then  continued  the  above  penitence 
for  many  years,  behold  one  night,  after 
Matins,  there  came  to  him  fuch  a  tempta- 
tion to  fleep,  that  in  no  manner  could  he 
hold  out  againft  it  and  watch,  as  was  his 
wont.  Finally,  unable  longer  to  refift  or 
to  pray,  he  went  to  his  bed  to  (lumber ; 
and  no  fooner  had  he  laid  his  head  upon 
the  pillow,  than  he  was  rapt  in  Ecftafy 
and  led  in  fpirit  to  a  very  high  mountain, 
whereon  was  a  moft  fteep  Precipice,  and 
here  and  there  were  rocks  fhivered  and 
fplintered  and  rugged  crags  amid  the 
rocks:  at  the  fight  of  this  cliff  the  Soul 
flood  aghaft.  And  the  Angel  who  led  this 
Brother  feized  him  and  caft  him  over  the 
rugged  edge  of  thofe  rocks :  and  he,  ftrik- 
ing  and  rebounding  from  crag  to  crag  and 
from  ftone  to  ftone,  at  laft  attained  the 
bottom  of  that  precipice,  as  it  feemed, 
all  difmembered  and  torn  ;  and  lying  thus 
in  evil  trim  upon  the  ground,  he  who  led 
him,  faid  unto  him,  "  Rife,  for  you  have 
yet  another  journey  to  go."  The  Brother 
replied,  "  Mefeems  you  be  a  moft  cruel  and 

ill-advifed 


afttle  jFlotorts  of 


ill-advifed  man,  for  feeing  me  thus  dying 
of  the  fall  which  hath  fo  fhattered  me,  you 
yet  bid  me  rife."  And  the  Angel  ap- 
proached him,  and  touching  him,  his  every 
limb  was  made  whole  and  he  was  healed 
perfectly.  And  then  he  Ihowed  him  a  vaft 
plain  full  of  iharp  Stones  and  keen  Thorns 
and  Brambles  ;  and  he  told  him  that  he 
muft  needs  run  through  all  that  plain  and 
pafs  barefoot  unto  the  end,  where  he  beheld 
a  glowing  Furnace,  into  which  he  muft  enter 
ftraight.  And  the  Brother  having  croffed 
the  plain  with  great  anguilh  and  pain,  the 
Angel  faid  unto  him,  "  Enter  into  that  Fur- 
nace, for  fo  it  is  ordered."  The  Friar  re- 
plied, "  Oh,  woe  is  me  !  what  a  cruel  guide 
have  I  !  For  you  fee  me  almoft  dead  from 
that  anguilhing  plain,  and  for  all  repofe 
you  bid  me  enter  that  glowing  furnace." 
And  gazing,  he  beheld  many  Demons  around 
about  the  Furnace  with  iron  pitchforks  in 
their  hands,  with  which,  forafmuch  as  he 
delayed  to  enter,  they  plunged  him  fuddenly 
into  the  midft  of  the  fire.  Having  entered 
into  the  Furnace,  gazing,  he  beheld  a  cer- 
tain man  which  had  been  his  Godfather,  who 
burned  apace  with  him  ;  and  he  queftioned 
him,  faying,  "  O  lucklefs  Godfather,  how 

came 


Saint  jfrancis  of  ®nnlni.    119 

came  you  hither  ? "  And  he  anfwered, 
"  Go  but  a  little  farther  in  and  you  fhall 
find  my  wife  your  Godmother,  who  will  tell 
you  the  reafon  of  our  damnation.  The 
Brother  going  on,  lo !  there  appeared  to 
him  the  aforefaid  Godmother  all  fmothered 
and  fhut  within  a  meafure  of  wheat  blazing 
brightly ;  and  he  afked  her,  "  O  lucklefs  and 
miferable  Godmother,  how  have  you  come  to 
fuch  cruel  torment  ? "  And  fhe  anfwered, 
"  Forafmuch  as  in  the  time  of  the  great 
Famine,  the  which  Saint  Francis  foretold, 
my  hufband  and  I  fold  falfe  meafure  of 
wheat  and  of  barley,  and  therefore  do  I  burn 
bound  within  this  meafure."  And  thefe 
words  fpoken,  the  Angel  which  led  the 
Friar  haled  him  out  of  the  Furnace,  and 
then  faid  to  him,  "  Prepare  to  take  a  horrid 
journey,  which  is  yet  to  make."  And  he, 
lamenting,  faid,  "  O  harlheft  of  guides, 
who  haft  no  Companion  !  you  fee  how  I 
am  almoft  all  burned  in  that  Furnace,  and 
yet  you  would  lead  me  on  a  dangerous 
and  horrid  journey."  And  then  the  Angel 
touched  him  and  made  him  whole  and 
ftrong.  Forthwith  he  led  him  to  a  bridge, 
the  which  could  not  be  croffed  without 
great  danger,  inafmuch  as  it  was  very 

narrow 


120      &f)e  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

narrow  and  ftraight,  and  moft  flippery,  and 
without  railing  at  either  fide  ;  and  beneath 
it  flowed  a  dreadful  river,  full  of  Serpents 
and  Dragons  and  Scorpions,  and  it  fent  up 
a  moft  exceeding  great  ftench ;  and  the 
Angel  faid  to  him,  "  Crofs  this  Bridge,  and 
you  muft  crofs  it  from  end  to  end."  The 
Friar  replied,  "  And  how  fhall  I  crofs  over, 
that  I  may  not  fall  into  that  perilous  flood?" 
The  Angel  faid,  "  Follow  me,  and  place 
your  foot  where  you  fhall  fee  me  place 
mine,  and  fo  you  fhall  come  fafely  over." 
The  Brother  paffed  behind  the  Angel,  as 
he  had  taught  him,  until  they  came  to  the 
midft  of  the  Bridge  ;  and  being  thus  mid- 
way the  Angel  flew  thence,  and  departing 
from  him  went  up  into  an  exceeding  high 
mountain  which  ftood  fome  diftance  from 
the  Bridge  ;  and  the  Brother  gazed  long  at 
the  fpot  whither  the  Angel  had  flown :  but 
remaining  without  a  guide,  and  looking 
down,  he  faw  thofe  fo  dreadful  animals 
ftanding  with  their  heads  out  of  the  water, 
and  with  their  mouths  open  ready  to  de- 
vour him  if  he  Ihould  fall :  and  he  was  in 
fuch  a  terror  that  he  in  no  wife  knew  what 
he  mould  do  or  fay,  forafmuch  as  he  could 
neither  turn  back  nor  go  on.  Hence,  feeing 

how 


-Saint  JFvantte  of  Stssizi.    121 

how  great  was  his  Tribulation,  and  that 
he  had  no  other  refuge  fave  only  God,  he 
bowed  his  head  and  clafped  the  Bridge  in 
his  arms,  and  with  his  whole  heart  and 
with  tears  did  commit  himfelf  to  the  care 
of  God,  that  of  His  moft  Holy  Mercy  He 
might  deign  to  help  him.  And  having 
prayed,  it  feemed  as  if  he  began  to  put 
forth  wings  :  at  which  he  with  great  rejoic- 
ing awaited  their  further  growing,  that  he 
might  fly  thence  from  the  Bridge  whither 
the  Angel  had  flown  before.  But  after  a 
certain  fpace,  for  the  great  defire  which  he 
had  to  crofs  that  Bridge,  he  began  to  fly  ; 
and  becaufe,  forfooth,  his  wings  were  not 
grown  fo  much,  he  dropped  back  upon  that 
Bridge  and  his  feathers  fell  from  him  :  upon 
which,  yet  again  he  hugged  the  bridge,  and 
as  before  committed  himfelf  to  the  care  of 
God ;  and  having  prayed,  again  he  felt  his 
wings  fprout  forth  ;  but  as  before  he  did 
not  wait  until  they  had  gained  their  perfect 
growth  :  wherefore,  driving  to  fly  before 
the  time  was  ripe,  he  fell  once  more  upon 
the  Bridge  and  his  feathers  dropped  yet 
again.  For  the  which  thing,  feeing  that 
he  fell  becaufe  of  his  undue  hafte  to  fly,  he 
began  to  reafon  with  himfelf:  "  Affuredly,  if 

my 


122      STfje  ILCttle  jFlotorrs  of 

my  wings  fprout  for  the  third  time,  I  will 
wait  until  they  are  great  enough  for  me  to 
fly  without  another  fall."  And  mufmg  thus, 
he  faw  his  wings  put  forth  for  the  third 
time :  and  waiting  a  goodly  fpace,  until 
they  fhould  be  very  great,  it  feemed  to  him 
as  if  in  the  firft  and  the  fecond  and  the 
third  fprouting  of  his  wings  had  paffed 
away  five  hundred  years  or  more.  At  laft 
he  rofe  for  the  third  time,  and  winged  his 
flight  with  all  his  force,  and  flew  high  up  to 
that  fame  fpot  whither  the  Angel  had  flown, 
and  knocking  at  the  door  of  the  Palace 
wherein  he  was,  the  door-keeper  alked  him, 
"Who  art  thou,  who  art  come  hither?" 
He  anfwered,  "  I  am  a  Gray  Friar."  The 
door-keeper  faid,  "Await  my  coming,  for 
I  go  to  fummon  Saint  Francis,  to  fee  if  he 
know  thee  or  no."  Going  thence  for  Saint 
Francis,  he  who  was  left  behind  fell  to 
confideririg  the  marvellous  walls  of  that 
Palace;  and  lo,  thofe  walls  were  tranflucent, 
and  of  fuch  clearnefs  that  he  did  plainly  fee 
the  choirs  of  Saints  within  and  all  thofe 
things  that  they  did.  And  Handing  thus 
loft  in  wonder  at  this  fight,  lo  !  Saint  Fran- 
cis came  and  Brother  Bernard  and  Brother 
Guy ;  and  after  thefe  fo  great  a  multitude 

of 


.Saint  jFrancte  oC  ®HBi*i.    123 

of  faints  which  had  followed  in  their  foot- 
fteps  upon  earth  that  they  feemed  almoft 
numberlefs  :  and  Saint  Francis,  drawing 
near,  faid  to  the  door-keeper,  "  Let  him 
enter  in,  forafmuch  as  he  is  one  of  my 
Brethren."  And  no  fooner  was  he  entered 
in  than  he  felt  fuch  Confolation  and  fuch 
Sweetnefs  that  he  forgot  all  the  Tribula- 
tions which  he  had  undergone,  as  if  they 
had  never  been.  And  after  Saint  Francis, 
leading  him  by  the  hand,  fhowed  him  many 
wondrous  things,  and  after  faid  to  him  : 
"  Son,  you  muft  return  to  the  world,  where 
you  fhall  tarry  feven  days'  fpace,  wherein 
you  lhall  prepare  yourfelf  diligently  with 
great  devotion  ;  forafmuch  as  after  thofe 
feven  days  I  fhall  come  for  you,  and  then 
fhall  you  live  with  me  in  this  abode  of  the 
Bleffed."  Saint  Francis  was  clad  in  a  mar- 
vellous cloak,  adorned  with  glittering  Stars ; 
and  his  five  Wounds l  were  like  unto  five 
mofl  beauteous  Stars,  of  fuch  fplendor  that 
the  whole  Palace  fhone  with  their  rays ; 
and  Brother  Bernard  had  upon  his  head  a 
crown  of  mofl  fair  ftars ;  and  Brother  Guy 
was  decked  in  wondrous  light  ;  and  he 
recognized  many  other  holy  Friars  in  their 

midft 
1  The  Stigmata. 


124      C$e  tlfttle  jTlotorts  of 

midft  which  he  had  never  feen  on  earth. 
Thus  difmiffed  by  Saint  Francis,  he  re- 
turned, albeit  reluctantly,  to  the  world. 
Awaking  and  returning  to  his  fenfes 
and  reviving,  the  Brothers  were  ringing 
the  bells  for  Primes  :  fo  that  that  Vifion 
had  endured  no  longer  than  from  Matins 
unto  Primes,  although  to  him  it  feemed  as 
it  had  endured  for  many  years.  And  relat- 
ing all  this  Vifion  to  his  Superior  in  its  due 
order,  within  feven  days  he  began  to  grow 
fevered  ;  and  the  eighth  day  Saint  Francis 
came  to  fetch  him,  even  as  he  had  prom- 
ifed,  with  a  vaft  multitude  of  glorious  Saints, 
and  took  his  foul  thence  to  the  Kingdom 
of  the  Bleffed,  unto  Eternal  Life. 


CHAPTER    XXVII. 

How  Saint  Francis  converted  two  Scholars  of 
Bologna  and  made  Friars  of  them ;  and  then 
rid  one  of  them  of  a  fore  Temptation  which 
befet  him. 

QAINT  FRANCIS  once  coming  to  the 
**«?  city  of  Bologna,  all  the  people  of  that 
town  ran  out  to  fee  him  :  and  fo  great  was 

the 


<Saint  j/rancts  of  Assist.    125 

the  prefs,  that  folk  had  much  ado  to  gain 
the  Market-place ;  and  the  Market-place 
being  filled  full  with  men  and  women  and 
fcholars,  Saint  Francis  arofe  in  their  midft, 
and  ftanding  upright,  did  begin  to  preach 
thofe  things  which  were  taught  him  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft  :  and  fo  wondrous  well  did  he 
preach,  that  it  feemed  an  Angel  preached 
rather  than  a  man  ;  and  his  celeftial  words 
feemed  as  they  were  fharp  arrows,  which 
pierced  the  hearts  of  all  them  that  heard 
him,  for  by  that  preaching  a  vaft  hoft  of 
men  and  of  women  were  converted  to  true 
repentance ;  among  the  which  were  two 
noble  ftudents  from  the  Marches  of  An- 
cona  ;  and  the  one  was  called  by  the  name 
of  Pilgrim  and  the  other  Rinieri ;  which 
two  after  that  fame  Sermon,  touched  to  the 
foul  by  divine  infpiration,  came  unto  Saint 
Francis  faying  that  they  defired  to  forfake 
the  world  and  all  its  pomp  and  become 
one  with  his  Brethren.  Then  Saint  Fran- 
cis, knowing  through  revelation  that  they 
were  fent  by  God  and  that  they  were  def- 
tined  to  lead  a  holy  life  within  the  Order, 
and  confidering  their  much  fervor,  received 
them  joyfully,  faying  :  "  You,  Pilgrim,  fhall 
follow  the  path  of  humility  while  in  the 

Order 


i26      ftlje  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

Order,  and  you,  Brother  Rinieri,  fhall 
wait  upon  the  Brethren."  And  fo  it 
was;  forafmuch  as  Brother  Pilgrim  would 
never  become  a  Prieft,  but  remained  a  Lay 
Brother,  although  he  was  moft  learned,  and 
very  wife  in  canon  law.  Through  this  his 
humility  he  attained  to  exceeding  great  per- 
fection of  virtue,  fo  much  fo  that  Brother 
Bernard,  the  eldeft  fon  of  Saint  Francis, 
faid  of  him  that  he  was  one  of  the  moft 
perfect  Friars  in  this  World.  And  finally 
the  faid  Brother  Pilgrim,  full  of  virtue, 
paffed  on  from  this  life  to  the  Bleffed  Life, 
working  many  miracles  both  before  his  death 
and  after.  And  the  faid  Brother  Rinieri 
devoutly  and  faithfully  waited  upon  the 
Friars,  living  in  great  fanctity  and  humility ; 
and  he  became  moft  familiar  with  Saint 
Francis,  and  Saint  Francis  revealed  many 
fecret  things  to  him.  Being  then  made 
Minifter  of  the  Province  of  the  Marches  of 
Ancona,  he  long  ruled  in  the  utmoft  peace 
and  difcretion.  After  a  certain  fpace  God 
permitted  a  fore  Temptation  to  affail  his 
foul ;  at  which  he,  vaftly  troubled  and 
vexed,  afflicted  himfelf  with  Fallings,  with 
Difcipline,  with  Tears  and  with  Prayers,  by 
day  and  by  night,  and  ftill  could  not  drive 

thence 


-Saint  Jftantin  of  Snnini.    127 

thence  that  Temptation  ;  but  ofttimes  he 
was  in  extreme  defpair,  inafmuch  as  for 
this  thing  he  held  himfelf  to  be  forfaken 
of  God.  Being  thus  defperate,  as  a  laft 
remedy  he  refolved  to  go  to  Saint  Francis, 
thinking  thus  :  "  If  Saint  Francis  look  gra- 
cioufly  upon  me  and  receive  me  familiarly, 
as  is  his  wont,  I  fhall  believe  that  God  will 
yet  have  compaffion  upon  me  ;  but  if  not, 
it  fhall  be  for  a  fign  that  my  God  has  for- 
faken me."  He  therefore  arofe  and  went 
unto  Saint  Francis,  who  at  that  time  abode 
in  the  Palace  of  the  Bifhop  of  Affifi  griev- 
oufly  ill ;  and  God  revealed  to  him  the 
whole  manner  of  the  temptation  and  de- 
fpair of  the  faid  Brother  Rinieri,  and  his 
purpofe  and  his  coming.  And  ftraight- 
way  Saint  Francis  called  Brother  Leo  and 
Brother  Maximus,  and  faid  to  them  :  "  Go 
forth  to  meet  my  beloved  fon  Brother 
Rinieri,  and  embrace  him  in  my  name, 
and  greet  him,  and  fay  to  him  that  of  all 
the  Brethren  throughout  the  world  I  love 
him  moft  fingularly."  They  fet  forth  and 
met  by  the  way  Brother  Rinieri,  and  em- 
bracing him  they  told  him  all  thofe  things 
which  Saint  Francis  had  charged  them  to 
fay.  Hence  fo  much  comfort  and  delight 

did 


128      £fje  JLfttle  jHotoers  of 

did  flow  into  his  foul,  that  he  was  almoft 
befide  himfelf :  and  thanking  God  with  his 
whole  heart,  he  went  on  until  he  came  to 
the  place  where  Saint  Francis  lay  ill.  And 
albeit  Saint  Francis  was  grievously  ill, 
neverthelefs  hearing  Brother  Rinieri's  ap- 
proach, he  rofe  and  went  out  to  meet  him, 
and  embracing  him  moft  fweetly,  faid  : 
"  Brother  Rinieri,  my  beloved  fon,  of  all 
the  Brethren  throughout  the  world  moft 
fingularly  do  I  love  thee."  And  faying 
thefe  words  he  made  the  fign  of  the  moft 
Holy  Crofs  upon  his  brow,  and  after  kiffed 
him  there.  And  then  he  faid  :  "  My  be- 
loved fon,  God  the  Lord  hath  permitted 
this  Temptation  for  your  great  increafe  in 
merit :  but  if  you  defire  not  this  increafe, 
itfhall  not  be  thine."  Wonderful  to  relate! 
So  foon  as  Saint  Francis  had  uttered  thefe 
words,  inftantly  all  Temptation  departed 
from  him,  as  if  he  never  in  his  life  had  felt 
aught  of  the  kind,  and  he  was  left  greatly 
comforted. 


&aint  jFrancts  of  assist. 


CHAPTER    XXVIII. 

0/"0«  Ecftafy  whichfeizedupcn  Brother  Bernard 
and  held  him  from  Matins  even  until  Nones,  he 
being  all  thatfpace  unconfcious  of  Aught. 

THE  great  favor  which  our  Lord  oft- 
times  fhowed  to  thofe  poor  Evange- 
lifts  who  forfook  the  world  for  love  of 
Chrift  is  fet  forth  in  Brother  Bernard 
of  Quintavalle,  who,  after  taking  on  the 
habit  of  Saint  Francis,  was  very  many 
times  abforbed  in  God,  in  the  contempla- 
tion of  celeftial  things.  Among  others,  it 
happened  upon  a  time  that  being  in  Church 
hearkening  to  the  Mafs,  and  Handing  with 
his  whole  mind  bent  on  God,  he  became 
fo  abforbed  and  rapt  in  the  Lord,  that  at 
the  Elevation  of  the  Hoft  he  was  confcious 
of  naught,  neither  knelt,  nor  bared  his  head, 
as  did  the  others ;  but  without  once  wink- 
ing, did  ftand  fteadfaftly  gazing  from  the 
hour  of  Matins  until  Nones,  as  if  infen- 
fible :  and  after  Nones,  returning  to  him- 
felf,  did  go  about  the  Convent  crying  in 
tones  of  awe  and  wonder  :  "  O  Brothers ! 
O  Brothers !  O  Brothers !  There  is  no 

man 


130      &t*  lUttle  jplotorrs  of 

man  in  this  land  fo  great,  or  fo  noble,  to 
whom,  were  he  promifed  a  moft  beauteous 
palace  filled  with  gold,  it  were  not  eafy  to 
bear  moft  loathfome  burdens,  to  gain  fo 
rare  a  treafure."  Now  the  mind  of  the 
aforefaid  Brother  Bernard  was  fo  bent  upon 
this  Celeftial  Treafure  promifed  to  all  true 
lovers  of  God,  that  for  fifteen  years  con- 
tinually he  went  ever  with  his  head  and 
face  upraifed  to  heaven ;  and  in  all  that 
time  he  fatisfied  never  his  hunger  at  table, 
albeit  he  ate  of  that  which  was  put  before 
him  a  little,  forafmuch  as  he  faid  that  the 
mere  fact  of  eating  naught  conftitutes  not 
perfect  abftinence,  but  true  abftinence  is 
to  be  temperate  in  all  things  which  are 
favory  in  the  mouth  ;  and  thereby  he  at- 
tained to  fuch  clearnefs  and  light  of  intel- 
lect that  even  the  great  Doctors  of  the 
Church  had  recourfe  to  him  for  the  folu- 
tion  of  knotty  queftions  and  hard  paffages 
of  Scripture ;  and  he  made  plain  every 
puzzle  to  them,  and  inafmuch  as  his  mind 
was  freed  and  abftracted  from  all  earthly 
things,  he,  after  the  manner  of  a  Swallow, 
flew  oft  aloft  in  thought  ;  hence  fometimes 
twenty  days  and  fometimes  thirty  days  he 
would  abide  alone  upon  the  top  of  very 

high 


<Satnt  jFtancis  of  Assist.    131 

high  mountains  mufing  upon  celeftial  mat- 
ters. Wherefore  Brother  Guy  fpoke  con- 
cerning him,  faying  that  this  gift  was  not 
given  to  other  men  which  was  given  to 
Brother  Bernard  of  Quintavalle ;  which  is 
to  fay,  that  he  fed  upon  the  wing  like  the 
Swallow;  and  for  this  excellent  grace,  given 
him  of  God,  Saint  Francis  gladly  and  often 
held  converfe  with  him  both  night  and  day. 
Hence  they  were  at  certain  times  found 
the  whole  night  long  abforbed  in  God  in 
the  thick  wood,  where  they  had  met  together 
to  difcourfe  of  Him. 


CHAPTER    XXIX. 

How  the  Devil  ofttimes  did  appear  in  the  Form 
of  One  Crucified  unto  Brother  Rufus,  telling  him 
that  all  his  Labor  was  "vain,  inafmuch  as  he 
was  not  chofen  unto  Eternal  Life :  Saint  Fran- 
cis learning  this  through  Divine  Revelation, 
J}iowed  Brother  Rufus  the  Error  in  which 
he  lay. 

T)ROTHER  RUFUS,  one  of  the  moft 
-D  noble  men  of  the  city  of  Aflifi,  and 
a  comrade  of  Saint  Francis,  a  man  of 

exceeding 


132      Eije  Hittle  jFlotorrs  of 

exceeding  fanctity,  was  upon  a  time  forely 
tempted  and  tormented  in  fpirit  concern- 
ing the  doctrine  of  Predeftination  ;  where- 
fore he  was  moft  melancholy  and  fad  ;  in- 
afmuch  as  the  Devil  put  it  into  his  heart 
that  he  was  damned  and  was  not  one  of 
thofe  elected  unto  Eternal  Life,  and  that 
all  the  good  works  which  he  wrought  in 
the  Order  would  avail  him  naught.  And 
this  temptation  enduring  day  after  day,  he 
for  fheer  fhame  forbearing  to  reveal  aught 
of  it  to  Saint  Francis,  yet  paufed  not  in 
praying  and  falling  :  for  which  thing  the 
Enemy  began  to  heap  forrovv  upon  forrow, 
befides  the  inner  battle,  fhaking  him  from 
without  with  evil  vifions.  Hence  he  once 
appeared  to  him  in  the  form  of  One  Cruci- 
fied, faying  unto  him  :  "  O  Brother  Rufus, 
why  mould  you  thus  afflict  yourfelf  with 
penitence  and  prayers,  forafmuch  as  you  are 
not  one  of  the  Elect?  And  believe  me, that 
I  know  them  whom  I  have  chofen  and  pre- 
deftined  ;  and  put  not  your  faith  in  the  fon 
of  Peter  Bernardone,1  albeit  he  may  tell  you 
to  the  contrary,  and  moreover  queftion  him 
not  concerning  fuch  matters,  fince  neither 
he  nor  any  man  elfe  can  know,  fave  only  I, 

Who 
1  Saint  Francis. 


Saint  jFrancis  of  &ssfsf.    133 

Who  am  the  Son  of  God  :  wherefore  of  a 
verity  you  may  believe  me,  that  you  are  of 
the  number  of  the  damned  ;  and  the  fon 
of  Peter  Bernardone,  your  father,1  and  alfo 
his  father,  are  damned,  and  whofover  lhall 
follow  after  them  is  deceived  and  mifled." 
And  hearing  thefe  words,  Brother  Rufus 
began  to  be  fo  overfhadowed  by  the  Prince 
of  Darknefs,  that  already  he  loft  all  faith 
and  love  which  he  cherifhed  for  Saint 
Francis,  and  cared  not  to  tell  him  aught 
of  thefe  things.  But  that  which  Brother 
Rufus  told  not  to  the  Holy  Father  was 
made  known  to  him  of  the  Holy  Ghoft  ; 
hence  Saint  Francis  feeing  in  fpirit  the 
great  danger  of  the  faid  Brother,  fent 
Brother  Maximus  to  fummon  him  ;  to 
whom  Brother  Rufus  made  anfwer  fcorn- 
fully,  "  What  have  I  to  do  with  Brother 
Francis  ? "  And  then  Brother  Maximus, 
filled  full  with  divine  wifdom,  knowing 
the  deceitful  wiles  of  the  Devil,  faid  :  "  O 
Brother  Rufus,  know  you  not  that  Brother 
Francis  is  like  to  an  Angel  of  God,  which 
hath  enlightened  fo  many  fouls  in  this 
world,  and  from  which  we  receive  the 

Grace 

1  That  is,  the  founder  of  the  Order  to  which  he 
belonged. 


i34      ®3l*  Settle  jFlotoers  of 

Grace  of  God  ?  Wherefore  I  would  that 
at  all  hazards  you  come  before  his  face 
with  me ;  forafmuch  as  I  fee  clearly  that 
you  are  led  aftray  of  the  Devil."  And  hav- 
ing faid  this,  Brother  Rufus  was  moved, 
and  went  forth  to  Saint  Francis,  and  Saint 
Francis  feeing  him  from  afar  began  to 
cry  aloud,  "  O  wicked  Brother  Rufus,  in 
whom  have  you  trufted  ? "  And  Brother 
Rufus  drawing  near  to  him,  he  told  him  in 
due  order  all  his  temptation  brought  upon 
him  by  the  Devil  from  within  and  from 
without,  and  clearly  mowed  him  that  he 
who  had  appeared  to  him  was  the  Devil 
and  not  Chrift,  and  that  in  no  manner  muft 
he  confent  to  his  fuggeftions  ;  but  when  the 
Devil  mould  again  fay  to  him,  "  You  are 
damned,"  he  Ihould  make  anfwer,  "  Open 
your  mouth  ; "  "  and  this  fhall  be  for  a  fign 
unto  you  that  he  is  the  Devil  and  not  Chrift : 
for  fo  foon  as  you  have  given  him  this 
anfwer,  ftraightway  he  mail  flee  thence. 
By  another  token  alfo  fhall  you  know  that 
he  is  the  Devil,  forafmuch  as  he  hath  hard- 
ened your  heart  againft  all  goodnefs,  which 
thing  is  proper  to  his  office  ;  but  Chrift  the 
Bleffed  did  never  yet  make  hard  the  heart 
of  the  faithful,  but  rather  foftens  it,  even 

as 


-Saint  Jfrancis  of  Assist.    135 

as  is  fpoken  by  the  mouth  of  the  Prophet : 
'I  will  take  the  ftony  heart  out  of  their 
flefh,  and  will  give  them  a  heart  of  flefh.' " 
Then  Brother  Rufus,  feeing  that  Saint 
Francis  had  related  to  him  in  due  order 
all  the  manner  of  his  temptation,  ftung 
by  his  words,  began  to  weep  very  fore 
and  to  adore  Saint  Francis,  and  humbly 
to  acknowledge  his  fin,  in  that  he  had 
hidden  his  temptation.  And  thus  he  was 
left  much  comforted  and  confoled  by  the 
admonitions  of  the  Holy  Father,  and 
quite  changed  for  the  better.  Then  fi- 
nally Saint  Francis  faid  to  him :  "  Go,  fon, 
and  confefs  your  fin,  nor  give  over  your 
wonted  prayers  :  and  know  of  a  certainty 
that  this  temptation  mail  be  of  great  ufe 
and  comfort  to  you,  and  in  a  brief  fpace 
you  mall  fo  prove  it."  Brother  Rufus  re- 
turned again  to  his  cell  in  the  foreft ;  and 
praying  there  with  many  tears,  lo !  the 
enemy  came  again  in  the  femblance  of 
Chrift,  that  is  in  his  outward  feeming,  and 
faid  to  him  :  "  O  Brother  Rufus,  did  I  not 
tell  you  to  put  not  your  faith  in  the  fon  of 
Peter  Bernardone,  and  that  you  mould  not 
weary  yourfelf  with  tears  and  prayers,  fince 
you  are  damned  ?  What  avails  it  to  afflict 

yourfelf 


136      ftfje  Utttle  jFlouiers  of 

yourfelf  while  you  live,  and  then  when  you 
die,  ftill  you  will  be  damned  ?  "  And  fud- 
denly  Brother  Rufus  replied  to  the  Devil, 
"  Open  thy  mouth  that  I  may  fpit  upon 
thee."  At  which  the  Devil,  waxing  wrath, 
ftraightway  departed  thence  with  fuch  a 
tempeft  of  wind  and  fo  great  a  rain  of 
ftones  from  Mount  Subaffio,  which  was  in 
that  neighborhood,  that  the  noife  of  the 
ftones  which  fell  down  was  heard  for  a 
great  fpace  round  about ;  and  fo  great  was 
the  tumult  that  they  made,  together  with 
the  rumbling,  that  horrid  flames  of  fire 
flalhed  through  the  valleys,  and  at  the 
found  that  they  made,  Saint  Francis  with 
his  Companions  came  out  from  the  Con- 
vent in  great  amaze,  to  fee  what  ftrange 
thing  this  might  be  ;  and  even  unto  this 
day  men  may  fee  that  exceeding  great  wafle 
of  ftones.  Then  Brother  Rufus  faw  plainly 
that  this  was  the  Devil  which  had  mifled 
him.  And  returning  again  to  Saint  Fran- 
cis, again  he  fell  before  him  on  the  ground 
and  confeffed  his  fault.  Saint  Francis  com 
forted  him  with  fweet  words,  and  fent  hin 
again  confoled  to  his  cell,  wherein  he,  pray 
ing  moft  devoutly,  Chrift  the  Bleffed  ap 
peared  to  him,  and  fired  all  his  foul  with 

Divine 


Saint  jFrancis  of  Bam'flC.    137 

Divine  Love  and  faid,  "  Well  doft  thou,  fon, 
to  put  thy  faith  in  Brother  Francis,  foraf  much 
as  he  who  afflicted  thee  was  the  Devil ;  but 
I  am  Chrift  thy  Matter :  and  that  you  may 
be  well  aff  ured  of  this,  I  give  you  this  fign : 
while  you  live,  you  lhall  never  know  any 
forrow,  neither  any  grief."  And  faying 
thefe  words,  Chrift  departed  thence,  leav- 
ing him  with  fuch  Rejoicing  and  fuch  fweet- 
nefs  of  fpirit  and  elevation  of  mind  that 
day  and  night  he  was  abforbed  and  rapt  in 
God.  And  from  that  time  forth  he  was  fo 
confirmed  in  Grace  and  in  the  fure  fenfe  of 
his  Salvation,  that  he  was  wholly  changed 
to  another  man  ;  and  he  would  fain  have 
remained  day  and  night  in  prayer  and  in 
contemplation  of  Divine  Things,  would  oth- 
ers have  but  let  him.  Hence  Saint  Fran- 
cis faid  concerning  him,  that  Brother  Rufus 
was  canonized  of  Chrift  in  this  life,  and  that 
fave  in  his  prefence  he  hefitated  not  to  call 
him  Saint  Rufus,  albeit  he  yet  lived  upon 
this  earth. 


138      STJje  flfttle  JFloujcrs  of 


CHAPTER    XXX. 

Of  the  glorious  Sermon   which  Saint  Franch 
and  Brother  Rufus  preached  at  AJJIJi. 

THE  faid  Brother  Rufus,  through  con- 
tinual contemplation,  grew  to  be  fo 
abforbed  in  God  that  he  became  almoft 
dumb  and  infenfible,  and  but  very  rarely 
fpoke  ;  and  withal  he  had  not  the  Grace, 
nor  the  Valor,  nor  the  Eloquence  to  preach : 
and  neverthelefs  Saint  Francis  charged  him 
upon  a  time  that  he  fhould  go  to  Affifi,  and 
Ihould  preach  to  the  people  even  as  the 
Lord  fhould  infpirehim.  To  which  Brother 
Rufus  made  anfwer :  "  Reverend  Father, 
I  befeech  you,  pardon  me  and  fend  me 
not  forth,  inafmuch  as  you  are  well  aware 
that  I  have  no  grace  in  preaching,  and 
am  fimple  and  unlearned."  And  then  faid 
Saint  Francis  :  "  Forafmuch  as  you  have 
not  obeyed  promptly,  I  command  you  by 
your  facred  vow  of  Obedience  that  you 
go,  clad  only  in  your  breeches,  unto  Affifi, 
and  enter  there  a  church  and  preach  to 
the  people."  Upon  this  command  the  faid 
Brother  Rufus  laid  off  his  raiment  and 

went 


.Saint  JFIM net's  of  assist.    139 

went  to  Affifi  and  entered  into  a  church, 
and  doing  reverence  to  the  altar,  went  up 
into  the  pulpit  and  began  to  preach  ;  at 
which  thing  the  men  and  boys  began  to 
laugh,  and  faid,  "  Lo,  one  who  doth  peni- 
tence, left  he  grow  proud  and  vain." 
Meantime  Saint  Francis,  pondering  on  the 
ready  obedience  of  Brother  Rufus,  which 
was  one  of  the  nobleft  gentlemen  of  Affifi, 
and  of  the  hard  command  which  he  had 
laid  upon  him,  began  to  reproach  himfelf, 
faying,  "  Whence  haft  thou  fuch  prefump- 
tion,  fon  of  Peter  Bernardone,  thou  vile 
and  petty  fellow,  that  thou  Ihouldft  com- 
mand Brother  Rufus,  which  is  one  of  the 
nobleft  gentlemen  of  Affifi,  to  go  forth 
and  preach  to  the  people  even  as  he  were 
mad  ?  In  God's  name,  go  forth  thou  like- 
wife,  and  prove  for  thyfelf  even  that  thou 
haft  commanded  of  others."  And  fuddenly, 
in  the  ardor  of  his  fpirit,  he  alfo  laid  off 
his  raiment  and  went  forth  to  Affifi,  and 
with  him  went  Brother  Leo  bearing  his 
habit  and  that  of  Brother  Rufus.  And  the 
men  of  Affifi  feeing  them  in  like  plight, 
feoff ed  at  them,  holding  that  they  with 
Brother  Rufus  were  made  mad  by  much 
Penitence.  Saint  Francis  entered  into  the 

.     church 


140      £Jje  Hfttle  jFlototrs  of 

church  where  Brother  Rufus  was  preach- 
ing thefe  words :  "  Fly,  my  beloved,  from 
the  World,  and  forfake  Sin ;  covet  not  the 
goods  of  others,  if  you  would  efcape  Hell ; 
follow  God's  commands,  love  God  and  your 
neighbor,  if  you  would  gain  Heaven  ;  do 
penitence,  if  you  would  poffefs  the  King- 
dom of  Heaven."  Then  Saint  Francis  went 
up  into  the  pulpit;  and  he  began  to  preach 
fo  marvelloufly  of  the  Vanity  of  the  world, 
of  holy  Penitence,  of  voluntary  Poverty, 
and  of  the  longing  after  the  Celeftial  King- 
dom, and  of  the  nakednefs  and  fcorn  of  the 
Paffion  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  that  all 
they  who  heard  his  preaching,  men  and 
women  in  great  multitudes,  began  to  weep 
violently  with  admirable  devotion  and  con- 
trition ;  and  not  only  here,  but  throughout 
all  Affifi,  upon  that  day  fuch  floods  of  tears 
were  fried  for  Chrift's  Paffion,  that  nothing 
fimilar  was  ever  feen.  And  the  people 
being  thus  edified  and  confoled  by  the  act 
of  Saint  Francis  and  Brother  Rufus,  Saint 
Francis  clad  again  both  Brother  Rufus  and 
himfelf  ;  and  thus  reclad  they  returned  back 
to  the  Convent  of  Portiuncula,  praifing  and 
glorifying  God,  Who  had  given  them  grace 
to  win  the  victory  over  felf  by  their  felf- 

contempt, 


•Saint  jFrancts  of  Stesisu    141 

contempt,  and  to  edify  the  flock  of  Chrift 
Jefus  by  their  good  Example,  and  to  mow 
what  it  is  to  defpife  the  World  ;  and  that 
day  fo  great  was  the  devotion  which  the 
people  felt  for  them,  that  he  held  himfelf 
blefled  who  could  but  touch  the  hem  of 
their  garments. 


CHAPTER    XXXI. 

How  Saint  Francis  duly  knew  the  fecret  Souls 
of  all  his  Brethren. 

T7VEN  as  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift  faith  in 
•I—-'  the  Gospel,  "  I  know  my  fheep  and 
they  know  me,"  etc.,  fo  the  blefled  Father 
Saint  Francis,  like  unto  a  good  fhepherd, 
knew  all  the  merits  and  virtues  of  his  Com- 
panions by  divine  revelations,  and  even  fo 
was  made  aware  of  their  defects  ;  for  the 
which  thing  he  knew  how  to  provide  for  each 
the  beft  remedy,  which  is  to  fay,  he  hum- 
bled the  Proud,  exalted  the  Lowly,  inveighed 
againft  Vice,  and  lauded  Virtue,  according 
as  may  be  read  in  the  wondrous  revela- 
tions which  he  had  concerning  his  firft 
family.  Among  the  fame  we  learn  that 

Saint 


142      &fje  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

Saint  Francis  once  being  with  the  faid 
family  in  a  certain  place  difcourfing  of 
God,  Brother  Rufus  was  not  among  them 
to  hearken  unto  this  difcourfe,  but  was  loft 
in  a  mufe  in  the  midft  of  the  wood  ;  pro- 
ceeding with  their  difcourfe  of  God,  lo ! 
Brother  Rufus  came  forth  from  the  wood 
and  paffed  by  fomewhat  remote  from  them. 
Then  Saint  Francis,  feeing  him,  turned 
again  to  his  Companions  and  afked  them, 
faying :  "  Tell  me,  whofe  think  you  is  the 
holieft  foul  which  God  hath  fent  into  the 
world  ? "  And  they  made  anfwer,  faying 
that  they  believed  it  to  be  his  own.  And 
Saint  Francis  faid  to  them  :  "  Beloved 
Brethren,  I  know  myfelf  to  be  the  moft 
unworthy  and  the  vileft  man  whom  God 
hath  fent  into  this  world  ;  but  fee  ye  not 
that  fame  Brother  Rufus,  who  even  now 
came  forth  from  the  wood  ?  God  hath  re- 
vealed to  me  that  his  foul  is  one  of  the 
three  moft  holy  fouls  in  the  world  :  and 
verily  I  fay  unto  you  that  I  mould  not 
hefitate  to  call  him  Saint  Rufus  while  he 
yet  lives,  forafmuch  as  his  foul  is  confirmed 
in  grace  and  fanclified  and  canonized  in 
Heaven  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift."  And 
thefe  words  Saint  Francis  uttered  not  be- 
fore 


Saint  iFrancis  of  .assist.    143 

fore  the  face  of  the  faid  Brother  Rufus. 
How  Saint  Francis  likevvife  knew  the 
faults  of  his  Brethren  may  be  clearly  feen 
in  Brother  Eliast  whom  ofttimes  he  re- 
proved for  his  pride  ;  and  in  Brother  John 
of  the  Choir,  to  whom  he  did  prophefy  that 
he  fhould  go  out  and  hang  himfelf  by  the 
neck  ;  and  in  that  Friar  whom  the  Devil 
held  faft  by  the  throat  when  he  was  cor- 
rected for  his  difobedience  ;  and  in  many 
other  Friars,  whofe  fecret  faults  and  virtues 
he  knew  clearly  through  a  revelation  from 
Chrift. 


XXXII. 

How  Brother  Maximus  entreated  of  Chrijl  the 
Virtue  of  Meeknefs. 

THE  firft  Companions  of  Saint  Francis 
ftrove  with  all  their  ftrength  to  be 
poor  in  worldly  goods  and  rich  in  virtues, 
by  which  they  might  gain  true  riches, 
celeftial  and  eternal.  It  happened  one 
day,  that  they  being  met  together  to  talk 
of  God,  one  of  them  related  this  parable : 
"  There  was  a  certain  man  who  was  a  dear 
friend  of  God,  and  had  great  gifts  alike  for 

a 


144      ®b*  tUttle  jFlotoers  of 

a  life  of  action  and  of  contemplation,  and 
withal  had  fuch  exceeding  meeknefs,  that 
he  held  himfelf  as  the  greateft  of  fmners  : 
which  meeknefs  fanftified  and  ftrengthened 
him  in  grace,  and  made  him  grow  continu- 
ally in  virtue  and  in  the  favor  of  God,  and 
never  let  him  fall  into  any  manner  of  fin." 
Brother  Maximus  hearing  fuch  marvellous 
things  concerning  meeknefs,  and  knowing 
that  it  was  a  treafure  of  eternal  life,  began 
to  be  fo  inflamed  with  love  and  longing 
for  this  virtue  of  meeknefs,  that,  raifmg  his 
eyes  with  great  fervor  to  Heaven,  he  made 
a  vow  and  moft  certain  promife  never  more 
to  be  merry  in  this  world  until  he  mould 
feel  the  faid  virtue  abiding  perfectly  within 
him  ;  and  from  that  time  forth  he  would 
pafs  almoft  the  entire  day  fhut  up  within 
his  cell,  mortifying  himfelf  with  fafts,  vig- 
ils, prayers,  and  extreme  lamentations  and 
tears  before  God,  to  the  end  that  he  might 
wring  from  Him  this  virtue,  wanting  which 
he  held  himfelf  worthy  of  Hell,  and  with 
which  that  friend  of  God,  as  he  had  heard, 
was  fo  plentifully  endowed.     And  Brother 
Maximus,  cheriming  thus    this   defire  for 
many  days,  it  came  to  pafs  that  he  one  day 
entered  into  a  wood,  and  in  the  fervor  of  his 

fpirit 


jfrancts  of  &nniai.   145 

fpirit  wandered  on,  weeping,  fighing,  groan- 
ing, and  befeeching  with  ardent  longing 
that  God  would  grant  him  that  divine  vir- 
tue :  and  forafmuch  as  the  Lord  gladly 
hears  the  prayers  of  the  contrite  and  the 
lowly,  Brother  Maximus  being  thus  forlorn, 
a  Voice  came  down  from  Heaven,  and  the 
fame  called  him  twice:  "  Brother  Maximus, 
Brother  Maximus  !  "  And  he,  having  fpirit- 
aal  knowledge  that  this  was  the  Voice  of 
Chrift,  replied  :  "  My  Lord  !  "  And  Chrift 
faid  to  him  :  "  What  will  you  give  to  have 
this  Grace  that  you  afk  ?  "  Brother  Maxi- 
mus replied  :  "  Lord,  I  will  give  the  eyes 
out  of  my  head."  And  Chrift  faid  to  him  : 
"And  I  defire  that  you  have  the  Grace, 
and  likewife  the  eyes."  And  faying  this, 
the  Voice  vanifhed  ;  and  Brother  Maximus 
was  left  behind  filled  with  fo  much  grace 
of  the  defired  virtue  of  meeknefs  and  of  the 
Light  of  God,  that  from  that  time  forth  he 
went  ever  rejoicing  ;  and  ofttimes  when  he 
prayed,  did  rejoice  aloud,  making  a  dull  noife 
like  that  of  a  dove,  —  oo,  oo,  oo,  —  and  with 
a  mining  countenance  and  a  light  heart  he 
would  linger  thus  loft  in  contemplation  ; 
and  withal,  being  become  very  meek,  he 
held  hirafelf  to  be  lefs  than  all  other  men. 

Being 


146      STfje  ULtttle  jFlotoera  of 

Being  afked  by  Brother  James,  of  Falle- 
rone,  why  in  his  rejoicing  he  changed  not 
ever  his  tune,  he  replied  with  great  cheer, 
That  when  one  thing  containeth  all  good, 
it  boots  not  to  change  the  meafure  or  the 
tune. 


CHAPTER    XXXIII. 

How  Saint  Clara,  at  the  Command  of  the  Pope, 
blejfed  the  Bread  -which  was  on  the  Table: 
whereat  on  every  Loaf  wasfeen  thefign  of  the 
Holy  Crofs. 

SAINT  CLARA,  that  moft  devout  fol- 
lower of  the  Crofs  of  Chrift,  and  the 
noble  offspring  of  Saint  Francis,  was  of 
fuch  fanclity  that  not  alone  Bifhops  and 
Cardinals  but  even  the  Pope  himfelf  longed 
with  great  affection  to  fee  and  to  hear 
her,  and  many  times  vifited  her  in  perfon. 
Among  other  times,  the  Holy  Father  once 
went  to  Moniftero  to  hear  her  converfe  of 
celeftial  and  divine  things  ;  and  being  thus 
met  together,  reafoning  of  divers  matters, 
Saint  Clara  meantime  bade  them  make 
ready  the  tables,  and  place  upon  them 

bread, 


Saint  jfra net's  of  Assist.    147 

bread,  to  the  end  that  the  Holy  Father 
might  blefs  it;  whence,  her  fpiritual  dif- 
courfe  completed,  Saint  Clara,  kneeling 
with  exceeding  great  reverence,  prayed  him 
that  it  might  pleafe  him  to  blefs  the  bread 
upon  the  table.  The  Holy  Father  replied : 
"  Sifter  Clara,  moft  faithful  among  women, 
I  defire  that  you  do  blefs  thefe  loaves, 
making  above  them  the  fign  of  Chrift's 
Holy  Crofs,  to  which  you  have  given 
yourfelf  entirely,  body  and  foul."  Saint 
Clara  faid :  "  Pardon  me,  Moft  Holy  Father, 
for  I  fhould  be  worthy  of  great  reproach 
if  before  the  face  of  Chrift's  Vicar  on 
earth,  I,  who  am  but  a  vile  and  filly 
woman,  fhould  venture  to  give  fuch  bleff- 
ing."  And  the  Pope  made  anfwer  :  "  To 
the  end  that  it  be  not  reputed  prefump- 
tion,  but  merely  righteous  fubmiffion,  I 
charge  you,  by  your  facred  vow  of  Obedi- 
ence, to  make  the  fign  of  the  moft  Holy 
Crofs  above  thefe  loaves,  bleffing  them  in 
the  name  of  God."  Then  Saint  Clara,  like 
a  true  daughter  of  Obedience,  did  devoutly 
blefs  the  bread  with  the  fign  of  the  moft 
Holy  Crofs.  Wonderful  to  relate !  Sud- 
denly upon  all  thofe  loaves  appeared  the 
fign  of  the  Crofs  moft  beauteoufly  carven. 

Then 


148      £!je  atttle  jFlotomi  of 

Then  of  thofe  loaves  a  part  were  eaten,  and 
a  part  preferved  in  token  of  the  miracle. 
And  the  Holy  Father,  after  that  he  had 
feen  that  miracle,  partaking  of  the  faid 
bread  and  giving  thanks  to  God,  departed 
thence,  leaving  Saint  Clara  with  his  bleff- 
ing.  In  thofe  days  Sifter  Ortolana,  the 
mother  of  Saint  Clara,  abode  in  the  Con- 
vent, and  Sifter  Agnes,  her  fifter,  both  of 
them  together  with  Saint  Clara,  full  of  vir- 
tue and  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  with  many 
other  Nuns ;  unto  whom  Saint  Francis  fent 
many  that  were  fick  and  infirm  ;  and  they 
by  their  prayers  and  by  the  fign  of  the 
moft  Holy  Crofs  healed  them  all  every 
one. 


CHAPTER    XXXIV. 

How  Saint  Louis,  King  of  France,  -went  in  Perfon, 
in  the  Guife  of  a  Pilgrim,  to  Perugia,  to  vifit 
Holy  Brother  Guy. 

SAINT  LOUIS,  King  of  France,  once 
went  on  a  pilgrimage  to  fee  the  holy 
places  of  the  world  :  and  hearing  the  ex- 
ceeding great  fame  of  the  fanftity  of  Brother 
Guy,  who  was  one  of  the  firft  followers  of 

Saint 


Saint  jFrancts  of  assist.    149 

Saint  Francis,  he  felt  a  hearty  defire,  and 
at  length  determined  to  vifit  him  in  perfon ; 
for  the  which  purpofe  he  came  to  Perugia, 
where  the  faid  Brother  Guy  was  then  abid- 
ing. And  drawing  nigh  to  the  gate  of  the 
Monaflery,  in  the  guife  of  a  poor  and  un- 
known pilgrim,  with  but  a  few  Com- 
panions, he  moft  perfiflently  demanded 
Brother  Guy,  faying  to  the  gate-keeper 
naught  of  who  he  was  that  afked  for  him. 
The  gate-keeper  then  went  to  Brother 
Guy  and  told  him  that  a  pilgrim  flood 
without  the  gate  and  afked  for  him :  and 
God  revealed  and  made  known  to  him  that 
this  was  the  King  of  France :  at  which 
fuddenly  he  with  great  fervor  left  his  cell 
and  ran  forth  to  the  gate  ;  and  without  fur- 
ther queftioning,  and  before  even  they  had 
fet  eyes  each  upon  the  other,  kneeling 
with  extreme  devotion,  they  embraced  and 
kiffed  with  much  familiarity,  as  they  had 
long  been  bound  by  the  bonds  of  friend- 
fhip:  but  withal  they  fpoke  no  word,  neither 
the  one  nor  the  other  ;  but  flood  thus  em- 
braced in  filence  with  thefe  tokens  of  affec- 
tionate amity.  And  having  remained  thus 
for  a  fpace  without  fpeaking  a  word  to- 
gether, they  parted  one  from  the  other ; 

and 


150      K§t  mttle  jFlotoers  of 

and  Saint  Louis  departed  thence  on  his 
journey,  and  Brother  Guy  returned  again 
to  his  cell.  The  King  being  departed,  a 
Friar  afked  a  certain  one  among  his  Breth- 
ren who  that  man  might  be  who  had  fo 
ardently  embraced  Brother  Guy  ;  and  he 
made  anfwer  that  it  was  Louis,  King  of 
France,  who  had  come  thither  to  fee 
Brother  Guy.  The  fame  being  repeated 
to  the  other  Monks,  they  were  fore  afflicted 
that  Brother  Guy  had  fpoken  no  word  with 
him  ;  and  reproving  him,  they  faid :  "  O 
Brother  Guy,  wherefore  were  you  fo  churl- 
ifh,  as  when  fo  holy  a  King  came  hither 
from  France  to  fee  you  and  to  hear  wife 
words  from  your  lips,  you  fpake  not  unto 
him  ? "  Brother  Guy  made  anfwer  :  "  My 
beloved  Brothers,  marvel  not  hereat:  foraf- 
much  as  neither  I  could  fpeak  a  word  to  him 
nor  he  to  me  ;  inafmuch  as  fo  foon  as  we 
were  embraced,  the  light  of  Divine  Wifdom 
revealed  and  laid  bare  his  heart  to  me  and 
mine  to  him  ;  and  thus  by  Divine  Authority 
gazing  each  into  the  other's  heart,  we  knew 
far  better  thofe  things  which  he  might 
have  fpoken  to  me  and  I  to  him,  than  had 
we  fpoken  them  with  our  lips,  and  with 
greater  comfort  than  had  we  ftriven  to  fet 

forth 


Saint  jfrancte  of  Assist'.    151 

forth  with  our  voices  thofe  things  which 
we  felt  in  our  hearts  ;  whereas  the  human 
tongue  being  but  faulty  and  ill-fitted  to  ex- 
prefs  clearly  the  fecret  myfteries  of  God,  it 
would  have  rather  added  to  our  difcom- 
fiture  than  our  confolation  ;  wherefore 
know  that  the  King  departed  hence  from 
me  wondrous  well  content  and  comforted 
in  fpirit." 


CHAPTER    XXXV. 

How,  being  infirm,  Saint  Clara  was  borne  by  a 
Miracle  unto  the  Church  of  St.  Francis,  upon 
Chrijlmas  Night,  and  heard  Mafs  therein. 

SAINT  CLARA  being  once  infirm  of 
body,  fo  that  (he  could  in  no  manner 
go  forth  to  fay  Mafs  in  Church  with  the 
other  Nuns,  when  the  folemn  feaft  of  the 
Nativity  of  Chrift  was  at  hand  all  the  others 
went  to  Matins  ;  and  (he  remained  behind 
in  bed  ill  content  that  fhe  could  not  go  forth 
with  the  reft  to  receive  that  fpiritual  comfort. 
But  Jefus  Chrift,  her  heavenly  Spoufe,  loath 
to  leave  her  fo  ill  content,  had  her  borne 
by  miraculous  power  unto  the  Church  of 
St.  Francis,  and  thus  was  fhe  prefent  at 

the 


152      &fje  lUttlc  jFlotorrs  of 

the  office  of  Matins  and  at  the  Midnight 
Mafs ;  moreover,  did  receive  Holy  Com- 
munion, and  was  then  tranfported  again 
to  her  bed.  The  Nuns  returning  back  to 
Saint  Clara,  fervice  being  ended  at  St. 
Damian's,  faid  to  her  :  "  Oh,  our  Mother, 
Sifter  Clara,  what  exceeding  confolation 
has  been  ours  at  this  facred  feaft  of  the 
Nativity  !  Would  it  had  pleafed  God  that 
you  might  have  been  among  us  ! "  And 
Saint  Clara  replied  :  "  Thankfgiving  and 
praife  give  I  unto  Our  Lord  Chrift  Jefus  ; 
may  His  name  be  bleffed,  my  beloved  Sifters 
and  Daughters,  forafmuch  as  I  have  wit- 
neffed  every  folemn  rite  of  this  moft  holy 
night,  and  even  greater  things  than  you 
have  feen,  to  the  great  confolation  of  my 
foul :  forafmuch  as  through  the  interceflion 
of  my  Father  Saint  Francis,  and  by  the 
Grace  of  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift,  I  was  pref- 
ent  in  the  Church  of  my  venerable  Father 
Saint  Francis,  and  heard  all  the  Office  with 
my  bodily  as  well  as  my  fpiritual  ears,  and 
the  found  of  the  organ  as  it  was  played  ; 
and  there  too  I  did  partake  of  the  moft 
Holy  Communion.  Wherefore  for  all  thefe 
mercies  vouchfafed  to  me,  rejoice  greatly 
and  thank  our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift. 


Saint  jFrancfa  of  Qtantel.    153 


CHAPTER    XXXVI. 

How  Saint  Francis  fet  forth  to  Brother  Leo  a 
fair   Vifion  which  he  faw. 

UPON  a  time  Saint  Francis  was  fore 
infirm,  and  Brother  Leo  ferved  him  ; 
the  faid  Brother  Leo,  being  at  prayer  be- 
fide  Saint  Francis,  was  rapt  in  Ecftafy,  and 
borne  in  fpirit  to  an  exceeding  great  ftream, 
broad  and  brawling.  And  ftanding  there 
to  note  who  fhould  pafs  over,  he  faw  cer- 
tain heavily-laden  Friars  enter  the  Flood, 
the  which  were  ftraightway  beaten  down 
by  the  rufhing  waters  and  were  drowned  ; 
certain  others  came  a  third  of  the  way 
over ;  others  reached  the  middle  of  the 
Flood ;  certain  others  came  almoft  over  to 
the  other  fhore  ;  who  all,  from  the  violence 
of  the  Flood,  and  from  the  burdens  which 
they  bare  upon  their  backs,  fell  at  laft  and 
perifhed  miferably.  Seeing  this,  Brother 
Leo  was  much  moved  to  pity :  and  fud- 
denly  ftanding  thus,  behold  there  came  a 
great  multitude  of  Monks,  without  burden 
or  weight  or  any  other  thing,  whofe  counte- 
nances Ihone  with  the  light  of  Holy  Pov- 
erty; 


154      Q%*  JLittlt  JFlotocrs  of 

erty ;  and  they  entered  upon  the  waters, 
and  palTed  over  without  any  danger ;  and 
feeing  this,  Brother  Leo  returned  to  him- 
felf.  And  then  Saint  Francis,  feeling  in 
fpirit  that  Brother  Leo  had  feen  fome 
Vifion,  called  him  unto  his  bedfide  and 
afked  him  concerning  thofe  things  which 
he  had  feen.  And  Brother  Leo  relating 
duly  all  his  Vifion,  Saint  Francis  faid : 
"  That  which  you  have  feen  is  true.  The 
great  river  is  this  world  ;  the  Brethren 
which  were  drowned  in  the  Flood  are  they 
who  forfake  the  calling  of  the  Evange- 
lifts,  and  above  all  elfe  attain  not  unto  the 
moft  extreme  poverty ;  but  they  who  paffed 
over  unharmed  are  thofe  Monks  who  feek 
after  naught  earthly  or  carnal,  neither  pof- 
fefs  aught  of  this  world's  goods,  but  having 
naught  fave  a  modicum  of  food  and  rai- 
ment, therewith  are  well  content,  following 
Chrift  naked  on  the  Crofs;  and  they  do 
bear  cheerfully  and  willingly  the  burden 
and  the  fweet  yoke  of  Chrift  and  of  their 
facred  vow  of  Obedience  ;  and  hence  they 
pafs  eafily  from  temporal  unto  Eternal 
Life. 


Safnt  jFrancCs  of  ^ssCsf.    155 


CHAPTER    XXXVII. 

How  Jefus  Chrift  the  Blejfed,  at  the  Requejl 
of  Saint  Francis,  did  convert  a  rich  and  noble 
Knight,  and  make  him  a  Monk,  the  Same  hav- 
ing made  great  Proffers  and  paid  much  Honor 
unto  Saint  Francis. 

SAINT  FRANCIS,  the  fervant  of  Chrift, 
coming  late  one  night  unto  the  houfe 
of  a  great  and  powerful  lord,  was  received 
and  entertained  of  him,  he  and  his  Com- 
panion, even  as  they  had  been  Angels  of 
God,  with  exceeding  courtefy  and  devo- 
tion :  for  the  which  thing  Saint  Fran- 
cis held  him  in  much  efteem,  confidering 
that  upon  his  entering  into  the  houfe  he 
had  embraced  and  kiffed  him  with  ex- 
treme amity,  and  thereafter  had  warned 
his  feet  and  dried  them  and  kiffed  them 
humbly,  and  had  made  a  great  fire,  and  lay- 
ing the  table  with  many  rich  meats,  con- 
tinually did  ferve  on  him  with  mining  face 
while  he  ate  thereof.  Now  Saint  Francis 
having  eaten,  together  with  his  Companion, 
this  gentleman  faid  :  "  Lo,  my  Father,  I 
and  all  my  worldly  goods  are  thine :  whenfo- 

ever 


156      fcHje  SLCttle  jFlotoets  of 

ever  thou  doft  want  raiment  or  mantle  or 
whatfoever  thing,  buy,  and  I  will  pay  the 
price  ;  and  behold,  I  am  ready  to  provide 
for  thine  every  want,  forafmuch  as  by  the 
Grace  of  God  I  have  wherewithal  fo  to 
do,  inafmuch  as  I  abound  in  all  temporal 
goods ;  and  hence  for  love  of  God  Who 
gave  them,  I  cheerfully  do  good  unto  His 
poor."  Upon  which  Saint  Francis,  feeing 
him  poffeffed  of  fuch  courtefy  and  bland- 
nefs,  and  the  bounty  which  he  proffered, 
conceived  fuch  affection  for  him  that,  de- 
parting thence,  he  faid  to  his  Comrade  as 
he  went:  "Verily  this  gentleman  would 
well  befeem  our  Religion  and  Company, 
being  fo  grateful  and  fo  pleafmg  unto  God, 
and  fo  loving  and  courteous  towards  his 
fellow-men  and  to  the  poor.  Know,  be- 
loved Brother,  that  Courtefy  is  one  of  the 
effential  qualities  of  God,  Who  maketh  His 
fun  to  fhine  and  His  rain  to  fall  upon  the 
juft  and  upon  the  unjuft,  through  Courtefy: 
and  Courtefy  is  alfo  the  fitter  of  Charity, 
which  puts  out  Hatred  and  preferves  Love 
alive.  Becaufe  I  have  known  fo  much 
divine  virtue  in  this  good  man,  I  would 
gladly  take  him  for  my  Companion  :  and 
hence  I  defire  that  we  may  one  day  return 

again 


Saint  jFrancis  of  assist.    157 

again  unto  him,  if  haply  God  may  touch 
his  heart  and  move  him  to  go  along  with 
us  to  enter  upon  the  fervice  of  God ;  and 
meantime  we  will  pray  God  that  He  may 
breathe  this  defire  into  his  heart,  and  give 
him  grace  to  execute  it."  Wonderful  to 
relate  !  A  few  days  thence,  Saint  Francis 
having  prayed,  our  Lord  breathed  this  de- 
fire  into  the  heart  of  that  gentleman.  And 
Saint  Francis  fpake  to  his  Companion,  fay- 
ing :  "  Let  us  go  forth,  my  Brother,  to  the 
abode  of  that  courteous  man ;  forafmuch 
as  I  have  firm  faith  in  God,  that  he  in  the 
Courtefy  of  temporal  things  fhall  give  him- 
felf  to  us  and  become  our  Companion." 
And  they  went  forth ;  and  drawing  nigh 
to  his  houfe,  Saint  Francis  fpake  to  his 
Companion,  faying :  "  Await  me  here  a 
little,  forafmuch  as  I  am  fain  firft  to  pray 
to  God  that  it  may  pleafe  Him  to  profper 
our  journey  ;  that  it  may  pleafe  Chrift 
Jefus  to  grant  unto  us  poor  weak  men  the 
noble  prey  which  we  hope  to  capture  from 
the  world  through  the  virtue  of  His  moft 
Holy  Paflion."  And  faying  this,  he  began  to 
pray  at  a  place  whence  he  might  be  feen  of 
the  faid  courteous  man  ;  hence,  as  it  pleafed 
God,  that  lame,  gazing  hither  and  yon, 

foon 


158      &te  lUttle  jFlotoers  of 

foon  saw  Saint  Francis  loft  in  moft  devout 
prayer  before  Chrift,  Who  with  great  fplen- 
dor  appeared  to  him  in  the  faid  prayer  and 
ftood  before  his  face ;  and  as  he  abode 
there  thus,  he  faw  Saint  Francis  for  a  good 
fpace  lifted  up  bodily  from  the  earth.  For 
the  which  thing  he  was  fo  moved  of  God 
and  infpired  to  forfake  the  world,  that  pref- 
ently  he  went  forth  from  his  palace,  and 
in  the  fervor  of  his  fpirit  haftened  towards 
Saint  Francis ;  and  drawing  nigh  unto  him 
as  he  prayed,  he  knelt  before  his  feet,  and 
with  exceeding  great  urgency  and  devotion 
he  befought  that  it  might  pleafe  him  to  re- 
ceive him  and  to  let  him  do  penitence  with 
him.  Then  Saint  Francis,  feeing  that  his 
prayers  had  been  heard  of  God,  and  that 
the  felfsame  thing  which  he  defired,  this 
gentleman  befought  with  fuch  urgency,  he 
raifed  him  up,  and  fervently  and  joyoufly 
embraced  and  kiffed  him,  moft  devoutly 
thanking  God,  Which  had  added  fo  noble  a 
knight  to  his  Company.  And  that  gentle- 
man faid  to  Saint  Francis  :  "  What  com- 
mandeft  thou  me  to  do,  my  Father  ?  Lo, 
I  am  ready  for  thy  command,  and  to  give  to 
the  poor  all  that  that  I  have,  and  to  follow 
after  Chrift  with  thee,  thus  fet  free  of  all 

temporal 


.Saint  jFraucts  of  assist.    159 

temporal  burden."  And  even  fo  he  did,  ac- 
cording unto  the  counfel  of  Saint  Francis ; 
for  he  fhared  his  goods  among  the  poor, 
and  entered  into  the  Order,  and  lived  in 
great  penitence  and  fanctity  of  life,  and  in 
honeft  converfation  with  his  Brethren. 


CHAPTER    XXXVIII. 

How  Saint  Francis  had  Jpiritual  Knowledge  that 
Brother  Elias  was  damned,  and  was  dejlined 
to  die  outjlde  of  the  Order;  wherefore  at 
Brother  Elias'  Entreaty  He  prayed  to  God  in 
his  Behalf  and  was  heard. 

SAINT  FRANCIS  and  Brother  Elias 
once  abiding  together  in  the  felfsame 
Convent,  Saint  Francis  had  a  revelation 
from  God  that  Brother  Elias  was  damned, 
and  was  deflined  to  renounce  his  faith  and 
finally  to  die  outfide  of  the  Order.  For 
the  which  thing  Saint  Francis  conceived 
fuch  difpleafure  againft  him,  that  for  a 
fpace  he  fpake  not  to  him,  neither  held  he 
any  converfe  with  him  ;  and  if  at  any  time 
it  happened  that  Brother  Elias  came  forth 
to  meet  him,  he  would  turn  afide  and  take 

another 


160      ftfy  JLittlt  jFIotoers  of 

another  road,  that  he  might  not  meet  with 
him ;  at  which  Brother  Elias  began  to  note 
and  to  underftand  that  Saint  Francis  was 
much  difpleafed  with  him  ;  hence,  defiring 
to  know  the  caufe,  he  one  day  accofted 
Saint  Francis  to  fpeak  with  him  ;  and  Saint 
Francis  fhunning  Brother  Elias,  he  retained 
him  courteoufly  perforce,  and  began  to  en- 
treat him  difcreetly  that  it  would  pleafe 
him  to  fignify  to  him  the  caufe  for  which 
he  thus  fhunned  his  company  and  all  con- 
verfe  with  him.  And  Saint  Francis  made 
anfwer :  "  The  caufe  is  namely  this  :  foraf- 
much  as  it  has  been  revealed  to  me  of 
God  that  you  for  your  fins  mail  renounce 
your  faith  and  mail  die  outfide  of  the  Order, 
and  alfo  God  hath  revealed  to  me  that 
you  are  accurfed  and  damned."  Hearing 
this,  Brother  Elias  fpake  thus  :  "  Reverend 
Father,  I  befeech  you  for  the  love  of  Jefus 
Chrift  that  you  fhun  me  not  for  this,  neither 
drive  me  from  you  ;  but  like  unto  a  good 
Shepherd,  following  after  the  example  of 
Chrift,  recover  and  receive  again  the  fheep 
which  muft  perifh  if  you  aid  him  not;  and 
pray  unto  God  for  me  that,  if  it  may  be, 
He  revoke  the  fentence  of  my  damnation  ; 
forafmuch  as  it  is  written  that  God  will 

change 


jfcancte  of  itestsi.    161 

change  His  decree  if  the  firmer  turn  from 
his  fin  :  and  fo  great  is  my  faith  in  your 
prayers,  that  were  I  in  the  midmoft  part  of 
Hell  and  you  fent  up  a  prayer  to  God  for 
me,  I  fhould  feel  a  certain  eafe  ;  therefore 
I  pray  you  yet  again  to  recommend  me,  a 
fmner,  unto  God,  Which  came  into  the  world 
to  fave  fmners,  that  He  will  grant  me  His 
Mercy."  And  this  Brother  Elias  faid  with 
great  devotion,  ay,  even  with  tears  ;  upon 
which  Saint  Francis,  like  a  pious  Father, 
promifed  to  pray  to  God  for  him  ;  and  fo  he 
did.  And  praying  to  God  very  fervently  for 
him,  he  knew  by  revelation  that  his  prayer 
was  heard  of  God,  in  fo  far  as  concerned  the 
revocation  of  the  fentence  of  Brother  Elias' 
damnation,  for  finally  his  foul  mould  not  be 
damned  ;  but  affuredly  he  would  forfake 
the  Faith  and  die  outfide  the  Order.  And 
even  fo  it  happened  ;  forafmuch  as  Fred- 
eric, King  of  Sicily,  rebelling  againft  the 
Church,  and  being  excommunicated  by  the 
Pope,  he  and  whofoever  Ihould  give  him  aid 
or  counfel,  the  faid  Brother  Elias,  who  was 
held  to  be  one  of  the  moft  wife  men  in  the 
world,  being  fummoned  by  that  fame  King 
Frederic,  joined  himfelf  unto  him,  and  be- 
came a  rebel  to  the  Church  and  an  apof- 

tate 


1 62     &ije  HCttie  jflotoers  of 

tate  from  the  Order :  for  the  which  thing 
he  was  excommunicated  of  the  Pope,  and 
ftripped  of  his  habit  by  Saint  Francis. 
And  being  thus  excommunicate,  and  fall- 
ing very  ill,  a  certain  lay  Brother  among 
his  Brethren,  which  had  remained  in  the 
Order  and  was  a  man  of  good  and  honeft 
life,  hearing  of  his  fore  infirmity,  went  to 
vifit  him  ;  and  among  other  matter  faid  to 
him  :  "  My  beloved  Brother,  it  grieves  me 
much  that  you  mould  be  excommunicate 
and  driven  out  from  your  Order,  and  that 
even  fo  you  muft  die ;  but  if  you  can  per- 
ceive any  mode  or  manner  by  which  I  may 
refcue  you  out  of  your  peril,  I  will  cheer- 
fully endure  any  fuffering  for  your  fake." 
Brother  Elias  made  anfwer  :  "  My  Brother, 
I  fee  no  other  manner  than  that  you  fhould 
betake  yourfelf  to  the  Pope,  and  entreat 
him  that  for  the  love  of  God,  and  of  Saint 
Francis  his  fervant,  through  whofe  admo- 
nitions I  was  led  to  forfake  the  world,  he 
abfolve  me  from  his  excommunication  and 
reftore  to  me  the  habit  of  my  Order." 
Thus  he  fpake  to  his  Brother,  who  cheer- 
fully undertook  any  labor  fo  that  he  might 
but  be  faved  :  and  departing  thence  from 
him,  he  threw  himfelf  at  the  feet  of  the 

Holy 


jFi-ancte  of  assist.    163 

Holy  Father,  humbly  befeeching  him  that 
he  would  (how  mercy  to  his  Brother,  for 
love  of  Chrift  and  of  Saint  Francis  his  fer- 
vant.  And  as  it  pleafed  God,  the  Pope 
granted  him  his  leave  to  return  again,  and 
if  he  found  Brother  Elias  flill  alive,  abfolve 
him  in  his  name  from  excommunication, 
and  reftore  to  him  his  habit  ;  upon  which 
he  fet  forth  rejoicing,  and  with  great  fpeed 
came  again  to  Brother  Elias,  and  found 
him  alive,  albeit  at  the  point  of  death,  and 
fet  him  free  from  the  ban  of  the  Church  ; 
and  putting  on  him  again  his  habit,  Brother 
Elias  pafl~ed  away  from  this  life,  and  his 
foul  was  faved  through  the  merits  of  Saint 
Francis  and  by  his  prayers,  in  which  Brother 
Elias  had  put  fuch  great  faith. 


CHAPTER    XXXIX. 

Of  the  Marvellous  Sermon  which  was  preached 
in  the  Confijlory  by  Saint  Antony  of  Padua, 
a  Gray  Friar. 


marvellous  veffel  of    the  Holy 
A      Ghoft,  Saint  Antony  of  Padua,  one 
of  the  chofen  Difciples  and  Companions 

of 


1 64      SFte  ILtttle  JFlotomi  oC 

of  Saint  Francis,  who  was  called  of  Saint 
Francis  his  Vicar,  once  preached  in  the 
Confiftory  before  the  Pope  and  his  Cardi- 
nals ;  in  which  Confiftory  there  were  men 
of  divers  nations ;  namely,  Greeks,  Latins, 
French,  Germans,  Slavs,  and  Englifh,  and 
men  fpeaking  other  divers  tongues.  Fired 
by  the  Holy  Ghoft,  fo  efficacioufly,  fo  de- 
voutly, fo  fubtly,  fo  fweetly,  fo  clearly,  and 
fo  plainly  did  he  fet  forth  the  Word  of  God, 
that  all  they  which  were  prefent  at  the  Con- 
fiftory, of  whatfoever  divers  tongues  they 
were,  clearly  underftood  all  his  words  dif- 
tinc~tly,even  as  he  had  fpoken  in  the  language 
of  each  man  among  them  ;  and  they  all  were 
ftruck  dumb  with  amaze,  and  it  feemed  as 
that  ancient  miracle  of  the  Apoftles  had 
been  renewed,  when  as  at  the  time  of  the 
Pentecoft  they  fpake  by  virtue  of  the  Holy 
Ghoft  in  every  tongue  ;  and  they  faid  one 
to  another  with  admiration  and  awe :  "  Is 
not  he  who  preaches  come  out  from  Spain? 
and  how  do  we  hear  in  his  difcourfe  every 
man  of  us  the  fpeech  of  his  own  land  ? " 
Likewife  the  Pope,  confidering  and  marvel- 
ling at  the  profundity  of  his  words,  faid  : 
"  Verily  this  man  is  the  Ark  of  the  Cove- 
nant and  the  Vehicle  of  the  Holy  Gofpel." 


<Saint  jFranris  of  Assist.    165 


CHAPTER    XL. 

Of  the  Miracle  which  God  performed  when 
Saint  Antony,  being  at  Rimini,  preached  to 
the  Fifties  of  the  Sea. 

OUR  Bleffed  Lord  and  Saviour  Jefus 
Chrift,  defiring  to  fet  forth  the  great 
fanctity  of  His  moft  faithful  fervant  Saint 
Antony,  how  devout  a  thing  it  was  to  hear 
his  preaching  and  his  Holy  Doctrines,  He 
reproved  the  folly  of  heretics  and  infidels 
through  unreafoning  beafts,  notably  the 
fifhes,  as  of  old  in  the  Bible  He  chid  the 
ignorance  of  Balaam  through  the  mouth 
of  the  Afs.  Hence,  Saint  Antony  being 
at  Rimini,  where  there  was  a  great  mul- 
titude of  heretics,  defiring  to  bring  them 
back  to  the  light  of  the  true  faith  and 
to  the  ways  of  virtue,  for  many  days  did 
preach  and  fet  forth  to  them  the  faith  of 
Chrift  and  of  the  Holy  Scriptures :  but 
they,  not  only  confenting  not  to  his  Holy 
Words,  but  even  like  hardened  and  obfti- 
nate  fmners  refufing  to  hearken  unto  him, 
Saint  Antony  one  day  by  Divine  Infpira- 
tion  went  forth  to  the  banks  of  the  river, 

clofe 


1 66      STije  Hfttle  jFlotoers  of 

clofe  befide  the  fea ;  and  {landing  thus 
upon  the  fliore  betwixt  fea  and  ftream,  he 
began  to  fpeak  in  the  guifc  of  a  fermon  in 
the  Name  of  God  unto  the  fifties  :  "  Hear 
the  Word  of  God,  ye  fifties  of  the  fea  and  of 
the  ftream,  fince  heretics  and  infidels  are 
loath  to  liften  to  it ; "  and  having  uttered 
thefe  words,  fuddenly  there  came  towards 
him  fo  great  a  multitude  of  fifties,  great, 
fmall,  and  middle-fized,  as  had  never  been 
feen  in  that  fea,  or  in  that  ftream,  or  of 
the  people  round  about ;  and  all  held  their 
heads  up  out  of  the  water,  and  all  turned 
attentively  towards  the  face  of  Saint  An- 
tony, and  the  greateft  peace  and  meeknefs 
and  order  prevailed :  infomuch  that  next 
the  fhore  flood  the  leffer  fifh,  and  after 
them  came  the  middle  fifh,  and  ftill  after 
them,  where  the  water  was  deepeft,  ftood 
the  larger  fifti.  The  fifh  being  thus  ranged 
in  order,  Saint  Antony  began  folemnly  to 
preach,  fpeaking  thus  :  "  My  Brothers  the 
fifh,  you  are  greatly  bounden,  fo  far  as  in 
you  lies,  to  thank  your  Creator  that  He 
hath  given  you  fo  noble  an  element  for 
your  habitation  ;  fo  that  at  your  pleafure 
you  have  frefh  waters  and  fait ;  and  He 
hath  given  you  many  fhelters  againft  ftorm. 

He 


Saint  jFrancfs  of  assist.    167 

He  hath  alfo  given  you  a  clear  and  lucid 
element,  and  food,  by  which  you  may  live. 
God,  your  courteous  and  benign  Creator, 
when  He  created  you,  commanded  you  to 
grow  and  multiply,  and  He  gave  you  His 
bleffing  :  then  when  the  great  Flood  fvval- 
lovved  up  the  World,  and  all  the  other  ani- 
mals were  deftroyed,  God  preferved  you 
only  without  injury  or  harm.  Almoft  hath 
He  given  you  wings,  that  you  may  roam 
whitherfoever  it  pleafes  you.  To  you  was 
it  granted,  by  God's  command,  to  preferve 
the  prophet  Jonah,  and  after  the  third  day 
to  caft  him  up  upon  the  land  fafe  and 
found.  You  offered  tribute  to  our  Lord 
Jefus  Chrift,  which  He,  poor  and  lowly, 
had  not  wherewithal  to  pay.  You  were 
the  food  of  the  everlafling  King  Chrift 
Jefus,  before  the  refurrection  and  again 
after  it,  by  a  flrange  myftery  ;  for  the 
which  things  greatly  are  you  bounden  to 
praife  and  blefs  God,  Which  hath  given  you 
fuch  great  and  fo  many  benefits,  more  than 
to  any  other  creatures."  Upon  thefe  and 
other  fimilar  words  and  teachings  of  Saint 
Antony  the  fifhes  began  to  ope  their 
mouths,  and  to  bow  their  heads;  and  by 
thefe  and  other  figns  of  reverence,  accord- 
ing 


1 68      SHjc  aittle  jFlotoers  ot 

ing  as  it  was  poflible  to  them,  they  praifed 
God.  Then  Saint  Antony,  feeing  fuch 
reverence  in  the  fifties  towards  God  their 
Creator,  rejoicing  in  fpirit,  cried  aloud  and 
faid  :  "  Blefled  be  the  eternal  God,  fince 
fifhes  of  the  waters  honor  Him  far  more 
than  heretic  men,  and  the  unreafoning 
beafts  more  readily  hearken  to  His  Word 
than  faithlefs  men."  And  as  Saint  An- 
tony continued  his  preaching,  the  multi- 
tude of  fifties  was  increafed  yet  more,  and 
none  departed  from  the  place  which  he 
had  filled.  Upon  this  miracle  the  people 
of  the  town  began  to  haften  forth,  and 
among  them  were  alfo  the  aforefaid  here- 
tics ;  the  which,  feeing  fo  manifeft  and  mar- 
vellous a  miracle,  felt  their  hearts  forely 
pricked,  and  fell  with  one  accord  at  Saint 
Antony's  feet,  to  hear  his  word.  Then 
Saint  Antony  began  to  preach  of  the 
Catholic  faith  ;  and  fo  nobly  did  he  dif- 
courfe,  that  he  converted  all  thofe  heretics 
and  turned  them  to  the  true  faith  of  Chrifl ; 
and  all  the  faithful  were  comforted  with 
great  joy,  and  were  confirmed  in  their  faith. 
And  this  done,  Saint  Antony  difmiffed  the 
fifties  with  the  bleffing  of  God ;  and  they 
all  departed  with  marvellous  figns  of  re- 
joicing, 


Jfeatnt  jFrancts  of  Assist.    169 

joking  and  likewife  the  people.  And  then 
Saint  Antony  ftayed  in  Rimini  for  many 
days,  preaching,  and  reaping  a  fpiritual 
harveft  of  fouls. 


CHAPTER    XLI. 

How  the  Venerable  Brother  Simon  freed  from  fore 
Temptation  a  Brother  which  for  that  fame 
Caufe  was  about  to  forfake  the  Order. 

IN  the  beginning  of  the  Order  of  Saint 
Francis,  while  he  yet  lived,  there  came 
into  the  Order  a  young  man  of  AfTifi,  which 
was  called  Brother  Simon  ;  the  which  God 
adorned  and  endowed  with  fo  much  grace, 
fuch  power  of  contemplation  and  eleva- 
tion of  mind,  that  throughout  his  life  he 
was  ever  a  mirror  of  fanctity,  according 
as  I  have  heard  from  them  which  long 
abode  with  him.  But  very  rarely  was  he 
feen  outfide  his  cell,  and  if  ever  he  did 
abide  with  the  Brothers,  he  continually 
did  difcourfe  of  God.  Never  had  he  ftudied 
the  laws  of  grammar,  and  neverthelefs  dif- 
courfed  fo  deeply  and  fo  loftily  of  God 
and  of  the  love  of  Jefus  Chrift,  that  his 

words 


1 70      Eije  Hfttle  jFlotoers  of 

words  feemed  fupernatural  words  ;  hence 
one  evening  he  being  gone  into  the  wood 
with  Brother  James  of  Mafia  to  converfe 
of  God,  and  fpeaking  moft  fweetly  of  the 
Divine  Love,  they  remained  all  night  in 
fuch  difcourfe,  and  at  dawn  of  day  it  feemed 
as  they  had  tarried  there  but  a  very  brief 
fpace,  according  as  the  faid  Brother  James 
did  tell  me.  And  the  faid  Brother  Simon 
pofleffed  in  fuch  fuavity  and  fweetnefs  of 
fpirit  the  divine  and  loving  Light  of  God, 
that  ofttimes  when  he  did  feel  it  defcend- 
ing  upon  him  he  would  take  to  his  bed  ; 
forafmuch  as  the  tranquil  fuavity  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft  required  of  him  not  alone  re- 
pofe  of  foul  but  likewife  of  body  ;  and  in 
fuch  Divine  Vifitations  he  was  ofttimes  ab- 
forbed  in  God,  and  became  wholly  infenfible 
to  all  earthly  things.  Hence,  once  being 
thus  rapt  in  God,  and  infenfible  to  the 
world,  the  Divine  Love  burned  within  him, 
and  he  felt  naught  external  with  his  bodily 
fenfes.  A  Brother  defiring  to  have  proof 
of  this,  to  fee  if  it  were  even  as  it  feemed, 
went  and  took  a  coal  of  fire  and  laid  it  to 
his  bare  foot ;  and  Brother  Simon  knew 
naught  of  it,  and  it  made  no  mark  upon 
his  foot,  albeit  it  was  held  there  for  a  great 

fpace 


-Saint  jFrnncts  of  Assist'.    171 

fpace,  until  it  went  out  of  itfelf.  The  faid 
Brother  Simon  when  he  took  his  feat  at 
table,  before  ever  he  partook  of  bodily 
food,  took  for  himfelf  and  did  break  the 
fpiritual  food,  difcourfmg  of  God.  By  his 
devout  converfation  he  once  converted  a 
young  man  of  San  Severino,  who  was  in 
his  time  a  moft  vain  and  worldly  youth, 
and  was  of  noble  blood  and  very  delicate 
of  his  body :  and  Brother  Simon,  receiving 
the  young  man  into  the  Order,  retained  his 
fecular  garb  in  his  keeping  ;  and  he  fo- 
journed  with  Brother  Simon  to  be  taught 
of  him  the  meet  obfervances.  Wherefore 
the  Demon,  who  labors  to  diftort  all  good, 
befet  him  with  fuch  fore  defire  and  ardent 
temptation  to  fin,  that  in  no  manner  could 
he  refift;  wherefore  he  went  forth  to  Brother 
Simon  and  faid  to  him  :  "  Give  me  again 
my  raiment  which  I  wore  in  the  world,  for- 
afmuch  as  I  can  no  longer  ftand  up  againft 
temptation."  And  Brother  Simon,  having 
much  compaflion  for  him,  faid  to  him,  "  Sit 
here,  my  fon,  a  little  fpace  with  me."  And 
he  began  to  talk  with  him  of  God  in  fuch 
manner  that  every  temptation  departed 
from  him  ;  and  yet  again  the  temptation 
returned,  and  he  again  entreated  that  his 

raiment 


172      &ij*  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 

raiment  might  be  reftored  unto  him.  And 
Brother  Simon  drove  it  thence  with  dif- 
courfe  of  God.  And  this  he  did  many 
times ;  and  finally  one  night  the  faid  temp- 
tation affailed  him  fo  fore,  more  than  was 
its  wont,  that  being  unable  by  any  manner 
of  means  to  hold  out  againft  it,  he  went 
forth  to  Brother  Simon,  entreating  that  his 
worldly  raiment  might  be  given  him  again, 
for  in  no  manner  might  he  linger  longer 
there.  Then  Brother  Simon,  according  as 
was  his  wont,  bade  him  fit  befide  him  ;  and 
as  he  fpake  of  God,  the  young  man  did  lay 
his  head  in  Brother  Simon's  lap,  for  pure 
melancholy  and  grief.  Then  Brother  Simon, 
for  the  great  compaffion  which  he  had,  railed 
his  eyes  to  Heaven  and  made  a  prayer,  be- 
feeching  the  Lord  moft  devoutly  for  him, 
and  was  rapt  and  heard  of  God  :  hence  re- 
turning again  to  his  fenfes,  the  young  man 
felt  himfelf  wholly  freed  from  that  tempta- 
tion, as  if  he  had  ne'er  felt  aught  of  it :  nay 
more,  the  ardor  of  temptation  being  con- 
verted into  the  ardor  of  the  Holy  Ghoft, 
inafmuch  as  he  was  brought  near  to  the 
Living  Coal,  which  is  Brother  Simon,  he 
became  all  inflamed  with  the  love  of  God 
and  his  fellow-man  ;  infomuch  that,  a  male- 
factor 


.Saint  jfrancis  of  Assist.   173 

factor  being  once  taken,  both  whofe  eyes 
were  to  be  plucked  from  him,  he,  that  is, 
Brother  Simon,  through  companion  went 
forth  fervently  to  the  Prior  ;  and  in  full 
Council,  and  with  many  tears  and  devout 
prayers,  he  entreated  that  from  him  might 
be  plucked  out  one  eye,  and  from  the  male- 
factor another,  to  the  end  that  the  latter 
might  not  be  deprived  of  both.  But  the 
Prior  and  Council,  feeing  the  great  fervor 
of  the  brotherly  love  of  this  Friar,  did  par- 
don both  the  one  and  the  other.  The  faid 
Brother  Simon  being  once  at  prayer  within 
a  wood,  and  feeling  much  confolation  in  his 
own  foul,  a  band  of  crows  began  to  con- 
found him  with  their  chatter,  at  which  he 
commanded  them  in  the  name  of  Jefus 
that  they  fhould  depart  and  return  again 
no  more  ;  and  the  faid  birds,  departing 
thence,  were  thenceforth  feen  no  more, 
neither  were  they  heard  either  there  or  in 
all  the  region  round  about.  And  this  mira- 
cle was  known  to  all  the  territory  of  Fermo, 
wherein  the  faid  Convent  ftood. 


174      &!)*  kittle  jFlotoers  of 

CHAPTER    XLII. 

Of  the  fair  Miracles  which  God  wrought 
through  thofe  holy  Brethren,  Brother  Wel- 
come, Brother  Peter  of  Monticello,  and 
Brother  Conrad  of  Offida:  and  how  Brother 
Welcome  bore  a  Leper  fifteen  Miles  in  mojl 
brief  Space ;  and  to  the  onefpake  Saint  Michael, 
and  to  the  other  came  the  Virgin  Mary  and 
laid  her  Son  in  his  Arms. 

THE  Province  of  the  Marches  of  An- 
cona  was  of  old  adorned  with  holy 
and  exemplary  Monks,  even  as  the  Heavens 
are  adorned  with  ftars  ;  which  fame  Monks, 
like  unto  the  luminaries  of  the  fky,  did  illu- 
mine and  adorn  the  Order  of  Saint  Fran- 
cis and  the  world  by  their  example  and 
their  doctrine.  Firft  among  thefe  men  was 
Brother  Lucius  Antico,  who  was  indeed  a 
Ihining  light  for  fanctity  and  burned  with 
Divine  Charity ;  whofe  glorious  tongue, 
informed  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  gathered  won- 
drous fruit  by  its  preaching.  Another  was 
Brother  Welcome  of  San  Severino,  which 
was  feen  by  Brother  Maximus  lift  up  into 
the  air  for  a  great  fpace,  he  being  at  prayer 
in  the  wood ;  for  the  which  miracle  the 

devout 


Saint  jFrancts  of  Assist.   175 

devout  Brother  Maximus,  being  then  parilh 
prieft,  left  his  parifh  and  became  a  Gray 
Friar ;  and  was  of  fuch  great  fanctity  that 
he  wrought  many  miracles  both  while  he 
lived  and  in  his  death,  and  his  body  lies  at 
Murro.  The  aforefaid  Brother  Welcome, 
tarrying  once  alone  at  Trave  Bonanti,  to 
watch  and  wait  upon  a  Leper,  being  com- 
manded of  the  Prelate  to  depart  thence 
and  go  to  another  Convent  which  was 
fifteen  miles  away,  being  loath  to  leave 
that  Leper,  with  great  ardor  of  brotherly 
love  took  him  and  put  him  on  his  back, 
and  bore  him  from  dawn  of  day  even  until 
the  rifmg  of  the  fun  all  that  fpace  of  fifteen 
miles,  unto  that  fame  Convent  whither  he 
was  fent,  which  was  called  Mount  Sancino; 
which  diftance,  had  he  been  an  eagle,  he 
could  not  fo  fwiftly  have  flown  in  fo  brief  a 
fpace  :  and  great  were  the  awe  and  admira- 
tion at  this  divine  miracle  throughout  all 
the  land.  Another  was  Brother  Peter  of 
Monticello,  which  was  feen  of  Brother 
Servetus  of  Urbino  (he  being  then  Prior 
of  the  ancient  Convent  of  Ancona),  raifed 
up  bodily  above  the  earth  fome  five,  ay, 
fix  cubits,  even  unto  the  feet  of  Chrift 
crucified  within  the  Church  before  whofe 

image 


176      ftije  SUttle  jHotoera  of 

image  he  tarried  in  prayer.  And  this 
Brother  Peter,  abftaining  once  upon  the 
Faft  of  the  Archangel  Saint  Michael  with 
much  devotion,  and  being  at  the  laft  of 
that  Faft  in  the  Church  at  prayer,  was 
heard  by  a  youthful  Friar  (who  ftudioufly 
remained  hidden  below  the  high  altar,  to 
fee  fome  act  of  his  fanctity)  difcourfing 
with  the  Archangel  Saint  Michael  ;  and 
the  words  that  they  fpake  were  thefe.  Said 
Saint  Michael:  "Brother  Peter,  faithfully 
you  have  plagued  yourfelf  for  me,  and  in 
divers  ways  have  afflicted  your  body  :  lo, 
I  am  come  to  comfort  you,  to  the  end 
that  you  may  require  of  me  whatfoever 
grace  you  will,  and  I  will  entreat  it  for  you 
of  God."  Brother  Peter  replied  :  "  Moft 
Holy  Prince  and  Captain  of  the  Celeftial 
Hoft,  and  moft  faithful  partifan  of  Divine 
Love  and  pious  protector  of  fouls,  I  be- 
feech  you  grant  me  this  grace  ;  that  you 
will  be  pleafed  to  entreat  of  God  that  He 
may  forgive  me  all  my  fins."  Saint  Michael 
made  anfwer  :  "  Afk  fome  other  grace,  for 
this  I  moft  cheerfully  grant  you."  And 
Brother  Peter  afked  naught  elfe  fave  only 
this  ;  and  the  Archangel  concluded  :  "  For 
the  faith  and  devotion  which  you  have  in 

me, 


.Saint  jFrancts  of  &ssteC.   177 

me,  I  give  you  this  grace  which  you  have 
alked,  and  likewife  many  others."  And 
their  converfe  ended,  which  had  lafted  for 
a  great  fpace,  the  Archangel  Saint  Michael 
departed  thence,  leaving  him  exceeding 
comforted. 

In  the  time  of  this  Holy  Brother  Peter 
lived  the  Holy  Brother  Conrad  of  Offida, 
who,  fojourning  together  with  him  in  the 
fame  Convent  of  Forano  in  the  territory 
of  Ancona,  the  faid  Brother  Conrad  went 
forth  one  day  into  the  wood  to  medi- 
tate on  God,  and  Brother  Peter  went  fe- 
cretly  after  him  to  fee  what  might  befall 
him  ;  and  Brother  Conrad  began  to  lift  up 
his  voice  in  prayer,  to  pray  moft  devoutly 
to  the  Virgin  Mary  with  much  piety,  that 
fhe  would  obtain  for  him  from  her  Bleffed 
Son  this  Grace,  —  that  he  might  feel  a  little 
of  that  fame  blifs  which  Saint  Simon  felt 
upon  the  Feaft  of  the  Purification,  when  he 
did  bear  Jefus,  the  Bleffed  Saviour,  in  his 
arms.  And  having  prayed  thus,  the  all- 
merciful  Virgin  Mary  heard  his  prayer ;  for 
lo !  the  Queen  of  Heaven  appeared  to  him 
with  her  Bleffed  Son  in  her  arms,  with  ex- 
ceeding great  light ;  and  drawing  near  unto 
Brother  Conrad,  ftie  laid  that  Bleffed  Babe 

upon 


178      &fje  Hittle  jFIotoers  of 

upon  his  arm  ;  and  he  receiving  Him  moft 
devoutly,  embracing  and  luffing  Him  and 
prefling  Him  to  his  breaft,  languifhed  quite 
away,  and  was  confumed  with  Divine  Love 
and  inexplicable  confolation.  And  like- 
wife  Brother  Peter,  who  had  feen  all  thefe 
things  from  his  hiding,  felt  the  moft  ex- 
treme blifs  and  comfort  within  his  foul. 
And  the  Virgin  Mary  departing  thence 
from  Brother  Conrad,  Brother  Peter  retired 
in  hafte  to  the  Convent  left  he  fhould  be 
feen  of  him  ;  but  after,  when  Brother  Con- 
rad returned  again  jocund  and  alert,  Brother 
Peter  faid  to  him  :  "  Oh,  what  heavenly  great 
confolation  was  yours  this  day !  "  Brother 
Conrad  faid,  "  What  fayeft  thou,  Brother 
Peter  ;  and  what  doft  thou  know  of  that 
which  I  have  had  ?  "  "  Well  I  know,  well 
I  know,"  faid  Brother  Peter,  "  how  that  the 
Virgin  Mary  with  her  Bleffed  Son  hath 
vifited  thee."  Then  Brother  Conrad,  who 
being  truly  humble,  defired  to  be  fecret 
with  the  Graces  of  God,  befought  him  that 
he  fhould  fpeak  no  word  of  this  to  any 
man  ;  and  fo  great  was  the  love  betwixt 
thofe  twain  from  that  day  forth,  that  they 
feemed  to  have  but  one  heart  and  one  foul 
between  them  in  all  things.  And  the  faid 

Brother 


Saint  iFrancCs  of  Assist.    179 

Brother  Conrad  did  once,  at  the  Convent 
of  Siruolo,  fet  free  a  woman  who  was  pof- 
feffed  of  a  devil,  praying  for  her  all  one 
night  and  appearing  to  her  mother,  at 
dawn  of  day  did  flee  thence  left  he  fhould 
be  fought  out  and  honored  of  the  people. 


CHAPTER    XLIII. 

How  Brother  Conrad  of  Offida  did  convert  a 
young  Monk  who  afflicled  the  other  Friars. 
And  how  the  faid  young  Monk,  coming  to  die, 
did  appear  to  the  faid  Brother  Conrad,  entreat- 
ing that  he  would  pray  for  him :  and  how  he 
fet  him  free  by  his  Prayers  from  the  very  great 
Pains  of  Purgatory. 

THE  faid  Brother  Conrad,  a  wondrous 
partifan  of  Evangelic  Poverty  and 
the  Rule  of  Saint  Francis,  was  fo  religious 
in  his  life  and  of  fo  great  merit  towards 
God,  that  Chrift  the  Bleffed  honored  him 
with  many  miracles  both  in  his  life  and  in 
his  death ;  among  which  upon  a  time,  being 
come  to  the  Convent  of  Offida  a  ftranger, 
the  Brethren  entreated  him  for  the  love  of 
God  and  of  true  charity  to  admonifh  a  young 
Monk  who  did  abide  in  that  Convent,  the 

which 


180      ftije  SLtttle  jFlotoers  of 

which  bore  himfelf  fo  childifhly,  difor- 
derly,  and  diffolutely  that  he  difturbed 
both  old  and  young  of  that  Convent,  heed- 
ing little  or  naught  the  divine  offices, 
or  other  Ordinances  of  the  Rule.  Upon 
which  Brother  Conrad,  through  compaf- 
fion  for  the  young  man  and  at  the  prayers 
of  the  Brothers,  did  one  day  call  that  youth 
apart ;  and  in  a  fervor  of  brotherly  love 
fpake  to  him  fuch  efficacious  and  devout 
words  of  admonition,  that  by  the  action  of 
Divine  Grace  he  fuddenly  became,  from  a 
child,  an  old  man  in  his  habit,  and  fo  obe- 
dient and  benign  and  diligent  and  devout, 
and  moreover  fo  peaceful  and  fo  docile,  and 
fo  ftudious  of  all  virtuous  deeds,  that  even 
as  before  the  whole  Convent  had  been  dif- 
turbed through  him,  fo  now  all  were  made 
comfortable  and  content  through  him,  and 
they  loved  him  much.  It  happened,  as  it 
pleafed  God,  that  thereafter,  after  his  con- 
verfion,  the  faid  youth  died  ;  at  which  the 
faid  Brothers  mourned.  And  a  few  days 
after  his  death  his  foul  did  appear  to 
Brother  Conrad,  he  being  devoutly  at 
prayer  before  the  altar  of  their  faid  Con- 
vent, and  fainted  him  pioufly,  as  a  father ; 
and  Brother  Conrad  a^ked  him  :  "  Who  art 

them?" 


Saint  jFtancts  of  &ssfsf.    181 

thou  ?  "  The  fame  made  anfwer  and  faid  : 
"  I  am  the  Soul  of  that  young  Monk  which 
did  die  a  brief  fpace  fmce."  And  Brother 
Conrad  faid :  "  Oh,  my  moft  beloved  Son, 
how  is  it  with  thee  ? "  The  fame  made 
anfwer  :  "  Through  the  Grace  of  God  and 
thy  doctrines  it  is  well  with  me,  foraf- 
much  as  I  am  not  damned :  but  for  certain 
of  my  fins,  of  which  I  had  not  time  fuffi- 
ciently  to  purge  me,  I  muft  endure  the 
worft  pains  of  Purgatory  ;  thus  I  befeech 
thee,  Father,  as  by  thy  piety  thou  didft  fuc- 
cor  me  in  my  living,  fo  now  it  may  pleafe 
thee  to  fuccor  me  in  my  torment,  reciting 
certain  Paternofters  for  me  ;  for  thy  prayers 
are  moft  acceptable  in  the  fight  of  God." 
Then  Brother  Conrad,  confenting  kindly 
to  his  entreaties,  and  faying  the  Paternofter 
for  him  but  a  (ingle  time  together  with  the 
Requiem  (Zternam,  that  Soul  cried  out :  "Oh, 
beloved  Father,  what  well-being  and  refrefh- 
ment  I  perceive  !  Now,  I  befeech  thee,  fay 
them  yet  once  again."  And  Brother  Con- 
rad did  fo  ;  and  he  having  recited  them,  the 
Soul  faid  :  "  Holy  Father,  when  thou  doft 
pray  for  me  I  feel  much  eafe  :  hence  I  en- 
treat thee  that  thou  ceafe  not  from  worfhip 
and  praife  for  me."  Then  Brother  Conrad, 

feeing 


1 82      £f)e  ILfttlr  jflotoers  of 

feeing  that  that  Soul  was  thus  aided  by  his 
prayers,  recited  for  him  an  hundred  Pater- 
nofters ;  and  when  that  he  had  ended  them, 
that  Soul  did  fay  :  "  I  thank  thee,  beloved 
Father,  in  the  name  of  God,  for  the  broth- 
erly love  which  thou  haft  Ihown  towards 
me  ;  forafmuch  as  through  thefe  thy  prayers 
I  am  fet  free  from  all  pains,  and  am  about 
to  enter  the  kingdom  of  Heaven."  And 
faying  this,  that  Soul  departed  thence. 
Then  Brother  Conrad,  to  the  end  that  he 
might  give  comfort  and  joy  to  the  Breth- 
ren, recited  to  them  all  this  Vifion  in  due 
order.  And  thus  the  Soul  of  that  youth 
entered  Paradife  through  the  merits  of 
Brother  Conrad. 


CHAPTER    XLIV. 

How  the  Mother  of  Chrift  and  Saint  John  the 
Evangelijl  did  appear  unto  Brother  Conrad, 
and  did  tell  him  which  of  they  twain  did  grieve 
mojl  fore  for  the  PaJ/ion  of  Chrift. 

IN  the  days  when  there  abode  together 
in    the   territory   of    the   Marches  of 
Ancona,  at  the  Convent  of  Forano,  Brother 

Conrad 


Saint  jFrancts  of  Assist.    183 

Conrad  and  the  aforefaid  Brother  Peter, 
which  were  two  filming  ftars  of  the  Prov- 
ince of  the  Marches,  and  two  celeftially- 
minded  men,  forafmuch  as  between  them 
was  fo  much  Love  and  fo  much  Charity  that 
they  feemed  but  one  heart  and  one  foul, 
they  were  both  bound  together  by  this 
contract :  that  every  confolation  which 
the  Grace  of  God  mould  grant  them  they 
mould  mutually  reveal  the  one  to  the  other 
in  all  brotherly  affection.  This  contract: 
being  figned  and  fealed,  it  befell  that 
Brother  Peter  being  one  day  at  prayer, 
and  meditating  moft  devoutly  upon  the 
Paffion  of  Chrift,  and  how  the  moft  Blefled 
Mother  of  Chrift  and  John  the  Evangelift, 
His  moft  dearly  loved  Difciple,  and  Saint 
Francis,  were  portrayed  at  the  foot  of  the 
Crofs,  crucified  with  Chrift  by  mental  pangs 
and  dolor,  he  was  feized  with  a  longing 
to  know  which  of  thefe  three  did  grieve 
moft  fore  for  Chrift's  Paflion, — whether  the 
Mother  who  bare  Him,  or  the  Difciple 
who  had  flept  upon  His  bofom,  or  Saint 
Francis,  which  was  crucified  with  Chrift  ; 
and  lingering  thus  loft  in  thefe  pious  muf- 
ings,  the  Virgin  Mary  appeared  unto  him 
with  Saint  John  the  Evangelift,  and  with 

Saint 


184      STfje  ZLtttle  jFIotorrs  of 

Saint  Francis,  arrayed  in  moft  fair  raiment 
of  beatific  glory ;  but  behold !  Saint  Francis 
feemed  clad  in  more  beauteous  garb  than 
Saint  John.  And  Peter  being  all  alarmed 
at  this  vifion,  Saint  John  comforted  him, 
and  faid  to  him  :  "  Fear  not,  beloved 
Brother,  forafmuch  as  we  are  come  to  com- 
fort thee  in  thy  doubt.  Know,  then,  that 
the  Mother  of  Chrift  and  I  did  grieve  be- 
yond all  other  creatures  at  the  Paffion  of 
Chrift ;  but  after  us,  Saint  Francis  felt 
greater  pangs  than  any  other,  and  hence 
doft  thou  fee  him  clad  in  fuch  glory." 
And  Brother  Peter  afked  him  :  "  Moft  holy 
Apoftle  of  Chrift,  why  feemeth  the  raiment 
of  Saint  Francis  more  fair  than  thine  ? " 
Saint  John  made  anfwer :  "  The  reafon  is 
this  :  forafmuch  as  when  he  lived  on  earth 
he  did  wear  raiment  more  vile  than  I." 
And  faying  thefe  words,  Saint  John  be- 
ftowed  on  Brother  Peter  a  glorious  gar- 
ment which  he  held  in  his  hand,  and  faid 
to  him  :  "  Take  this  garment,  which  I  have 
brought  to  give  to  thee."  And  Saint  John 
defiring  to  clothe  him  with  this  garment, 
Brother  Peter  fell  to  the  ground  in  a  maze, 
and  cried  aloud  :  "  Brother  Conrad,  dear- 
eft  Brother  Conrad,  fuccor  me  ftraight; 

come 


.Saint  jprancte  of  &ssfsf.    185 

come  hither  and  fee  marvellous  things." 
And  as  he  fpake  thefe  holy  words  that  fa- 
cred  vifion  vanifhed  quite  away.  Then 
Brother  Conrad  coming  there,  he  told  him 
all  things  in  due  order  as  they  had  hap- 
pened ;  and  they  gave  thanks  unto  God. 


CHAPTER    XLV. 

Of  the  Converjion  and  Life  and  Miracles  and 
Death  of  that  holy  Brother,  John  of  the  Pen. 

OROTHER  JOHN  OF  THE  PEN  be- 

J-J  ing  yet  a  child  and  not  a  churchman, 
in  the  Province  of  the  Marches  of  Ancona, 
one  night  there  appeared  before  him  a  moft 
beauteous  boy,  who  cried  aloud  unto  him  : 
"  John,  go  forth  unto  St.  Stephen's  Church, 
where  there  preacheth  one  of  my  Gray 
Friars  ;  believe  thou  in  his  teaching,  and 
hearken  to  his  words,  forafmuch  as  I  have 
fent  thee  thither  :  and  this  done,  thou  muft 
take  a  far  journey,  returning  then  again  to 
me."  Upon  which  forthwith  he  rofe  up, 
and  felt  a  marvellous  change  within  his 
foul ;  and  going  forth  to  St.  Stephen's 
Church,  found  there  a  great  multitude  of 

men 


1 86      STfje  ILittlr  jFlotoers  of 

men  and  women  tarrying  to  hear  the 
preaching.  And  he  who  was  to  preach 
there  was  a  certain  brother,  Brother  Philip 
by  name,  which  was  one  of  the  first  Friars 
who  had  come  into  the  Marches  of  Ancona ; 
and  but  few  convents  had  as  yet  been 
founded  in  that  region.  Going  up  into  the 
pulpit,  this  Brother  Philip  began  to  preach  ; 
and  he  preached  moft  pioufly,  not  with 
words  of  human  wifdom,  but  by  virtue  of 
the  Spirit  of  Chrift,  foretelling  the  kingdom 
of  Eternal  Life.  And  the  fermon  ended, 
the  faid  child  went  forth  to  the  faid  Brother 
Philip,  and  fpake  to  him  :  "  Father,  if  it 
pleafe  thee  to  receive  me  into  the  Order,  I 
will  cheerfully  do  penance,  and  will  ferve 
our  Lord  Jefus  Chrift."  Brother  Philip 
feeing  and  recognizing  in  the  faid  child  a 
marvellous  innocence  and  a  prompt  defire 
to  ferve  God,  faid  to  him  :  "  Come  to  me 
on  fuch  a  day  at  Recanati,  and  I  will  fee 
that  thou  art  received  ;  for  in  that  place 
we  do  intend  to  make  the  Provincial  Chap- 
ter-houfe;"  at  which  the  child,  which  was 
moft  exceeding  fimple,  bethought  himfelf 
that  this  was  the  far  journey  which  he 
muft  take,  according  unto  the  revelation 
which  had  been  made  unto  him,  and  there- 
after 


Saint  Jfrancts  of  Assist.    187 

after  he  fhould  go  thence  to  Paradife  ;  and 
fo  he  thought  he  muft  do  fo  foon  as  he  had 
been  received  into  the  Order.  He  went 
thither,  therefore,  and  was  received  :  and 
feeing  that  his  thoughts  were  not  then 
fulfilled,  the  Head  of  the  Chapter  faying 
that  whofoever  would  go  forth  through  the 
Province  of  Provence,  through  the  merit  of 
his  holy  vow  of  Obedience,  he  would  cheer- 
fully give  him  leave  fo  to  do,  he  felt  a 
great  defire  to  go  thither,  thinking  in  his 
heart  that  even  this  was  the  great  journey 
which  he  was  to  take  before  he  might 
reach  Paradife  ;  but  feeling  fhame  to  tell 
his  thoughts,  at  laft  he  confided  them  to 
the  aforefaid  Brother  Philip,  who  had  had 
him  taken  into  the  Order,  begging  him  lov- 
ingly that  he  would  entreat  for  him  leave 
to  go  into  the  Province  of  Provence.  Then 
Brother  Philip,  feeing  his  purity  and  his 
holy  purpofe,  begged  for  him  this  grace  : 
whence  Brother  John  with  great  rejoicing 
fet  about  his  departure,  full  of  the  thought 
that,  his  journey  ended,  he  mould  go  thence 
to  Paradife.  But,  as  it  pleafed  God,  he  fo- 
journed  in  the  faid  Province  twenty-five 
years  in  this  expectation  and  defire,  living 
in  extreme  honefty  and  fanctity  and  exem- 

plarity, 


1  88      3TJ)e  amir  jFlotoets  of 


plarity,  growing  ever  in  virtue  and  in  the 
Grace  of  God  and  of  the  people,  and  was 
fupremely  loved  alike  of  Monks  and  laymen. 
And  Brother  John  being  one  day  devoutly 
at  prayer,  and  weeping  and  wailing  becaufe 
his  defire  was  not  fulfilled,  and  that  his 
pilgrimage  through  this  life  was  too  long 
protracted,  there  appeared  unto  him  Chrift 
the  Bleffed,  at  whofe  afpect  his  whole  foul 
was  melted  within  him,  and  He  fpake  to 
him  thus:  "Son,  Brother  John,  require  of 
Me  what  thou  wilt."  And  he  made  anfwer: 
"  My  Lord,  I  know  not  what  other  thing  to 
afk  of  Thee  than  this,  fince  I  defire  naught 
elfe  :  but  this  only  do  I  pray  Thee,  that 
Thou  wilt  forgive  me  all  my  fins,  and  wilt 
grant  me  grace  to  fee  Thee  yet  once  again, 
when  I  may  have  greater  need  of  Thee." 
Jefus  faid  :  "  Thy  prayer  is  granted  ;  " 
and  faying  this,  He  departed  thence,  and 
Brother  John  was  left  wholly  comforted. 
At  the  laft  the  Monks  of  the  Marches, 
hearing  the  fame  of  his  holinefs,  fpake  fuch 
great  things  of  him  to  the  Vicar  General, 
that  he  commanded  him  by  his  vow  of 
Obedience  to  return  into  the  Marches  ; 
which  command  he  receiving,  fet  forth 
joyfully,  thinking  that,  the  journey  over,  he 

ihould 


jFi'ancis  of  &sm'su    189 

fhould  furely  rife  to  Heaven,  according  to 
the  promife  of  Chrift.  But  being  returned 
again  into  the  Province  of  the  Marches,  he 
lived  there  thirty  years,  and  was  not  known 
of  any  of  his  kindred  ;  and  every  day  he 
waited  for  the  Mercy  of  the  Lord,  that  He 
fhould  fulfil  His  promife.  And  in  thofe 
days  he  many  times  filled  the  office  of 
Prior  with  much  difcretion  ;  and  Our  Lord 
wrought  many  miracles  through  him.  And 
among  other  gifts  which  he  had  of  God,  he 
had  the  fpirit  of  prophecy  ;  hence  once, 
he  going  forth  from  the  Convent,  a  certain 
one  among  his  novices  was  attacked  by  a 
Demon  and  fo  forely  tempted  that  he,  con- 
fenting  unto  the  temptation,  determined 
within  himfelf  to  forfake  the  Order  fo  foon 
as  Brother  John  fhould  return  again  from 
abroad  ;  which  thing,  both  temptation  and 
deliberation,  being  made  known  to  Brother 
John  through  the  fpirit  of  prophecy,  he 
ftraightway  returned  home,  and  called  be- 
fore him  the  faid  novice,  telling  him  that 
he  defired  to  hear  his  confeffion  :  but  be- 
fore ever  he  did  confefs,  he  recited  to  him 
all  his  temptation  in  order,  even  as  God 
had  revealed  it  to  him,  and  concluded  thus  : 
"  Son,  forafmuch  as  you  awaited  my  com- 
ing, 


1 90      STfje  HCttle  jplotocrs  of 

ing,  and  would  not  depart  without  my  bleff- 
ing,  God  hath  granted  you  this  grace,  that 
you  lhall  never  leave  this  Order,  but  fhall 
die  in  the  Order  with  the  Divine  Favor." 
Then  the  faid  novice  was  confirmed  in 
good-will,  and  remaining  in  the  Order  he 
became  a  holy  Monk;  and  Brother  Hugh 
told  all  these  things  to  me.  The  faid 
Brother  John,  which  was  a  man  of  bright 
and  peaceful  fpirit,  and  but  rarely  fpake, 
was  a  man  of  great  devotion  and  prayer, 
and  efpecially  after  Matins  he  would  never 
return  into  his  cell,  but  would  tarry  in  the 
church  praying  until  day.  And  he  being 
at  prayer  one  night  after  Matins,  the 
Angel  of  the  Lord  appeared  before  him, 
faying  :  "  Brother  John,  the  end  of  your 
journey,  which  you  have  fo  long  awaited, 
is  at  hand,  and  I  am  come  to  tell  you  in 
God's  name  that  you  may  now  afk  whatfo- 
ever  favor  you  will.  And  I  alfo  announce 
that  you  may  choofe  whichfoever  you  will, 
either  one  day  in  Purgatory,  or  a  week  of 
torment  in  this  world."  And  Brother  John, 
choofing  rather  the  week  of  torment  in  this 
world,  fuddenly  he  was  afflicted  with  divers 
ills ;  forafmuch  as  he  was  burned  with 
fever,  and  pinched  hand  and  foot  with 

gout 


Saint  .-(Francis  of  assist.    191 

gout,  and  many  other  ills  ;  but  that  which 
troubled  him  moft  was,  that  a  Demon  flood 
before  him  and  held  in  his  hand  a  great 
parchment  infcribed  with  all  the  fins  which 
he  had  ever  finned  or  conceived,  and  faid 
to  him  :  "  For  thefe  fins  which  you  have 
wrought  in  thought,  and  with  your  tongue, 
and  in  deed,  you  are  condemned  to  the 
loweft  depths  of  Hell."  And  he  was  not 
mindful  of  any  good  thing  which  he  had 
ever  done,  neither  that  he  was  in  the  Order, 
neither  that  he  had  ever  been ;  but  believed 
verily  that  he  was  damned  even  as  the 
Demon  faid.  Whence,  when  he  was  aflced 
how  he  did,  he  replied  :  "  Very  ill,  foraf- 
much  as  I  am  damned."  The  Brethren 
feeing  this,  they  fent  for  a  very  ancient 
Brother,  Brother  Matthew  of  Mount  Rub- 
biano  by  name,  which  was  a  holy  man  and 
very  dear  to  this  Brother  John  ;  and  the 
faid  Brother  Matthew,  coming  to  him  on 
the  feventh  day  of  his  tribulation,  greeted 
him,  and  alked  him  how  he  fared.  He 
made  anfwer  that  he  fared  but  ill,  becaufe 
he  was  damned.  Then  faid  Brother  Mat- 
thew :  "  Remember  you  not  that  many 
times  you  have  confeffed  to  me  and  I  have 
abfolved  you  wholly  of  all  your  fins  ?  and 

yet 


192      STije  ZLtttle  jFlotoers  of 

yet  again,  remember  you  not  that  you  have 
ever  ferved  God  in  this  Holy  Order  for 
thefe  many  years  ?  and  again,  remember 
you  not  that  the  merciful  kindnefs  of  God 
exceedeth  all  the  fins  of  the  world,  and  that 
Chrift  the  Bleffed,  our  Saviour,  hath  paid 
an  infinite  price  for  our  redemption  ?  And 
therefore  be  of  good  cheer,  for  verily  you 
are  faved."  And  with  thefe  words,  the 
term  of  his  purgation  being  fulfilled,  the 
temptation  departed  from  him,  and  confo- 
lation  came.  And  with  great  rejoicing 
Brother  John  fpake  to  Brother  Matthew: 
"Forafmuch  as  you  are  weary  and  the  hour 
is  late,  I  pray  you  go  to  your  reft."  And 
Brother  Matthew  would  not  leave  him ; 
but  yet  at  laft,  at  his  great  inftance,  he 
went  from  him  and  lay  down  to  reft :  and 
Brother  John  remained  alone  with  the 
Brother  who  ferved  upon  him.  And  lo  ! 
Chrift  the  Bleffed  came  with  exceeding 
great  fplendor,  and  with  exceffive  fvveet  fmell, 
according  as  He  had  promifed  to  appear  to 
him  once  again  when  he  had  greater  need 
of  Him;  and  He  healed  him  of  his  every 
ill.  Then  Brother  John  with  clafped  hands 
gave  thanks  to  God,  who  with  wife  defign 
had  thus  ended  his  great  journey  of  the 

prefent 


.Saint  jptatuis  of  Assist. 

prefent  miferable  life,  committed  himfelf  to 
the  care  of  Chrift  and  rendered  up  his  foul 
to  God,  pailing  from  this  mortal  life  into 
Eternal  Life  with  Chrift  the  Bleffed,  which 
he  had  fo  long  defired  and  waited  to  fee. 
And  the  faid  Brother  John  refts  in  the 
Convent  of  Brother  John  of  the  Pen. 


CHAPTER    XLVI. 

How  Brother  Peace  being  at  Prayer  faw  the 
Soul  of  his  Brother,  Brother  Humility,  afcend 
to  Heaven. 

IN  the  aforefaid  Province  of  the  Marches, 
after  the  death  of  Saint  Francis,  were 
two  Brothers  belonging  to  the  Order ;  the 
one  was  called  Brother  Humility  and  the 
other  was  called  Brother  Peace,  the  which 
were  men  of  moft  extreme  fanclity  and 
perfection ;  and  the  one,  that  is  Brother 
Humility,  abode  in  the  Convent  of  Soffiano, 
and  there  did  die  ;  and  the  other  dwelt  in 
a  community  belonging  to  another  Con- 
vent quite  remote  therefrom.  As  it  pleafed 
God,  Brother  Peace  being  one  day  at  prayer 
in  a  folitary  fpot  was  rapt  in  ecftafy,  and 

faw 


194      ®$*  ffilttle  JFlotoers  of 

faw  the  foul  of  Brother  Humility  rife 
ftraight  to  Heaven,  without  any  let  or 
hindrance,  even  in  the  felfsame  moment 
that  it  left  the  body.  It  then  happed  that 
after  many  years  this  Brother  Peace,  who 
remained,  was  placed  with  the  Monks  of 
the  faid  Convent  of  Soffiano,  where  his 
brother  had  died.  In  thofe  days  the  Breth- 
ren, at  the  petition  of  the  Lords  of  Bru- 
forte,  exchanged  the  faid  Convent  for 
another  :  wherefore  among  other  things 
they  did  tranflate  the  relics  of  certain 
Holy  Friars  which  had  died  within  thofe 
walls :  and  coming  to  the  fepulchre  of 
Brother  Humility,  his  brother,  Brother 
Peace,  took  up  his  bones  and  warned  them 
with  good  red  wine ;  and  then  he  wrapped 
them  in  a  fair  white  napkin,  and  with  great 
reverence  and  devotion  kiffed  them  and 
wept  ;  at  which  the  other  Monks  mar- 
velled, and  held  him  as  an  ill  example, 
forafmuch  as,  he  being  a  man  of  great 
fanclity,  it  feemed  that  through  fenfu- 
al  and  fecular  love  he  did  weep  for  his 
brother,  and  that  he  fhowed  more  de- 
votion towards  his  remains  than  towards 
thofe  of  the  other  Monks,  who  were  no 
lefs  holy  than  Brother  Humility,  and  were 

worthy 


Sa(nt  iFrancis  of  Assist.    195 

worthy  of  as  much  reverence  as  he.  And 
Brother  Peace  knowing  the  evil  imagina- 
tion of  the  Brethren,  meekly  fatisfied  them, 
faying  unto  them  :  "  My  beloved  Brothers, 
marvel  not  if  I  do  thefe  things  to  the  bones 
of  my  Brother  and  do  them  not  likewife  to 
the  others,  inafmuch  as,  bleffed  be  God,  I 
am  not  led,  as  you  believe,  by  carnal  love ; 
but  I  have  done  fo  becaufe  that  when  my 
brother  pafled  away  from  this  life  I,  pray- 
ing in  a  defert  fpot  and  remote  from  him, 
faw  his  foul  rife  ftraight  into  Heaven  ;  and 
hence  I  am  affured  that  his  bones  are  fa- 
cred  and  mould  reft  in  Paradife.  And  had 
God  granted  me  a  fimilar  affurance  con- 
cerning the  other  Friars,  I  mould  have 
mowed  the  fame  reverence  to  their  bones. 
For  the  which  thing  the  Brethren,  feeing 
his  holy  and  devout  intention,  were  much 
edified,  and  praifed  God. 


196      STf)*  Etttlr  jplotoers  of 


CHAPTER    XLVII. 

Of  that  Holy  Monk  to  whom  the  Mother  of 
Chrift  appeared  when  he  was  infirm,  and 
brought  him  three  Boxes  of  Elefluary. 

IN  the  aforefaid  Convent  of  Soffiano 
there  was  of  old  a  Gray  Friar  of 
fuch  exceeding  fanctity  and  grace  that  he 
feemed  all  divine,  and  ofttitnes  was  he  rapt 
in  God.  This  Brother  being  on  a  certain 
time  quite  abforbed  in  God  and  exalted, 
forafmuch  as  he  was  notably  endowed  with 
the  grace  of  contemplation,  there  came  unto 
him  birds  of  divers  kinds,  and  familiarly 
alighted  upon  his  moulders,  upon  his  head, 
and  upon  his  arms,  and  upon  his  hands, 
and  marvelloufly  did  they  fing.  This  man 
was  a  folitary  foul  and  but  rarely  fpake  ; 
but  when  he  was  queftioned  concerning 
aught,  he  made  anfwer  fo  gracioufly  and  fo 
prudently  that  he  feemed  rather  an  Angel 
than  a  man  ;  and  he  was  moft  fervent  in 
prayer  and  contemplation  ;  and  the  Brothers 
held  him  in  great  reverence.  This  Brother 
having  fulfilled  the  courfe  of  his  virtuous 
life,  according  to  Divine  ordinance,  he  fell 

ill 


Saint  jFratuts  of  Assist.   197 

ill  even  unto  death,  infomuch  that  naught 
could  he  take  ;  and  therewithal  he  would  re- 
ceive no  carnal  medicine,  but  all  his  faith  he 
put  in  the  Heavenly  Phyfician,  Jefus  Chrift 
the  Bleffed,  and  in  His  Bleffed  Mother; 
thereby  he  merited  the  divine  clemency  of 
being  mercifully  vifited  and  healed.  Hence 
he  being  once  in  his  bed  and  making  ready 
for  death  with  all  his  heart,  and  with  all 
due  devotion,  there  appeared  unto  him  the 
glorious  Virgin  Mary,  Mother  of  Chrift, 
with  an  exceeding  great  multitude  of  An- 
gels and  Holy  Virgins,  with  wondrous 
fplendor.  She  drew  nigh  unto  his  bed : 
whence  he  gazing  upon  her  was  moil 
greatly  comforted  and  rejoiced,  both  in 
foul  and  in  body;  and  he  began  to  pray 
humbly  that  She  would  pray  Her  beloved 
Son  that  through  His  merits  He  would 
releafe  him  from  the  prifon-houfe  of  this 
wretched  flefh.  And  perfevering  in  this 
prayer  with  many  tears,  the  Virgin  Mary 
replied  to  him,  calling  him  by  name,  and 
faying  :  "  Doubt  not,  fon,  forafmuch  as  your 
prayer  is  granted,  and  I  am  come  to  com- 
fort you  a  little  before  that  you  depart 
hence  from  this  life."  There  were  with 
the  Virgin  Mary  three  Holy  Virgins,  which 

bore 


198      &fje  ILittle  jFlotoers  of 

bore  in  their  hands  three  boxes  of  Ele<5tuary 
of  matchlefs  odor  and  fweetnefs.  Then  the 
glorious  Virgin  took  and  opened  one  of 
thofe  boxes,  and  all  the  houfe  was  rilled 
full  of  the  fmell ;  and  taking  a  fmall  por- 
tion of  that  Electuary  in  a  fpoon,  She  gave 
it  to  the  fick  man :  who,  fo  foon  as  he  had 
received  it,  felt  fuch  great  comfort  and  eafe 
that  it  feemed  as  his  foul  could  no  longer 
abide  within  his  body;  whence  he  began 
to  fay :  "  No  more,  O  moft  holy  and  bleffed 
Virgin  Mother  !  O  bleffed  Healer  and  Sav- 
iour of  mankind,  no  more  !  for  I  am  unable 
to  endure  fuch  fweetness."  But  the  pious 
and  benign  Mother  flill  offering  that  Elect- 
uary to  the  fick  man  and  conftraining  him 
to  take  it,  emptied  all  that  box.  Then  the 
firft  box  being  emptied,  the  beatific  Virgin 
took  the  fecond  and  laid  the  fpoon  therein 
to  give  to  him ;  whereat  he  did  lament, 
faying :  "  O  moft  bleffed  Mother  of  God ! 
my  foul  is  almoft  melted  away  by  the 
ftrength  and  fweetnefs  of  the  firft  Electu- 
ary, and  how  may  I  endure  the  fecond  ? 
I  pray  you,  bleffed  above  all  Saints  and  all 
Angels,  that  you  will  be  pleafed  to  give  me 
no  more."  The  glorious  Virgin  Mary  an- 
fwered  :  "  Tafte,  my  fon,  but  a  little  of  this 

fecond 


Saint  jFrancis  of  Bteninl.    199 

fecond  box."  And  giving  him  a  little,  flie 
faid :  "  Now,  fon,  you  have  fo  much  as 
may  fuffice  ;  be  comforted,  O  fon,  for  I 
will  come  for  you  ere  long,  and  will  lead 
you  to  the  kingdom  of  my  Son,  which  you 
have  ever  fought  and  defired."  And  fay- 
ing this,  taking  leave  of  him,  She  departed 
thence  ;  and  he  was  left  fo  confoled  and 
comforted  by  the  fweetnefs  of  that  confec- 
tion, that  for  feveral  days  more  he  furvived 
fated  and  ftrong,  and  partaking  of  no  bodily 
food.  And  after  fome  days,  joyoufly  dif- 
courfing  with  the  Brethren,  with  great  jubi- 
lee and  rejoicing,  he  pafled  away  from  this 
miferable  life. 


CHAPTER   XLVIII. 

How  Brother  James  of  Mafia  faw  in  a  Vifion 
all  the  Gray  Friars  of  the  World,  after  the 
Fajhion  of  a  Tree,  and  did  know  the  Virtues 
and  the  Merits  and  the  Vices  of  every  one. 

BROTHER  JAMES  OF  MASSA,  to 
-D     whom  God  opened  the  way  to  His 

myfteries,  and  gave  him  perfect  wifdom  and 
underftanding  of  the  Divine  Scriptures  and 

of 


200      &fje  2Litti0  jFlotoers  of 


of  future  things,  was  of  fuch  great  fanclity, 
that  Brother  Guy  of  Affifi,  and  Brother 
Mark  of  Montino,  and  Brother  Juniper, 
and  Brother  Lucius  faid  of  him  that  they 
knew  no  man  in  the  world  more  familiar 
with  God  than  this  Brother  James.  Great 
was  my  defire  to  fee  him  ;  forafmuch  as  I, 
praying  Brother  John,  the  Companion  of 
the  faid  Brother  Guy,  that  he  would  ex- 
pound to  me  certain  fpiritual  matters,  he 
faid  to  me  :  "  If  you  would  be  well  informed 
concerning  the  life  of  the  Spirit,  make 
fhift  to  have  fpeech  with  Brother  James  of 
Mafia  :  "  forafmuch  as  Brother  Guy  longed 
to  be  informed  of  him,  and  no  man  was  able 
either  to  add  or  to  take  away  from  his 
words,  not  one  jot  or  tittle,  and  his  words 
are  the  words  of  the  Holy  Ghoft,  and  there 
is  no  man  on  the  earth  whom  I  fo  much 
defire  to  fee.  This  Brother  James,  in  the 
beginning  of  the  miniftry  of  Brother  John 
of  Parma,  praying  was  once  rapt  in  God, 
and  remained  three  days  in  this  ftate  of 
ecftafy,  deprived  of  all  bodily  fenfe,  and 
was  fo  lifelefs  that  the  Brethren  doubted 
whether  he  were  not  dead  ;  and  in  this 
trance  God  revealed  to  him  the  future  of 
our  Order  :  for  the  which  thing,  when  I 

heard 


Saint  jFtancts  of  &ss(sf.    201 

heard  it,  my  defire  to  hear  him  and  to 
fpeak  with  him  did  but  wax  ever  greater. 
And  when  it  pleafed  God  that  I  fhould 
have  occafion  to  talk  with  him-,  I  befought 
him  thus  :  "  If  thofe  things  be  true  which  I 
have  heard  of  thee,  I  prythee  keep  them 
not  hidden  from  me.  I  have  heard  that 
when  thou  didft  lie  three  days  as  one  dead, 
among  other  things  which  God  revealed 
unto  thee  was  that  which  was  to  befall  this- 
our  Order  ;  and  this  was  I  told  by  Brother 
Matthew,  preacher  in  the  Marches,  to  whom 
thou  didft  reveal  it  in  compliance  with 
thy  vows  of  Obedience."  Then  Brother 
James  with  great  humility  acknowledged 
that  the  words  of  Brother  Matthew  were 
true.  His  words,  that  is,  thofe  of  Brother 
Matthew,  the  preacher  in  the  Marches,  were 
thefe  :  "  I  know,  Brother,  unto  whom  God 
hath  made  known  that  which  fhall  befall 
our  Order,  forafmuch  as  Brother  James 
of  Maffa  hath  publifhed  and  told  me,  that 
after  many  things  which  God  revealed  to 
him  concerning  the  future  ftate  of  the 
Church  Militant,  he  faw  in  a  vifion  a  beau- 
teous and  very  great  tree,  whofe  roots  were 
made  of  gold,  the  fruits  which  hung  upon 
its  boughs  were  men,  and  they  all  were 

Gray 


202        £ije  aittle  jFlotoers  of 

Gray  Friars,  the  chief  branches  being  di- 
vided according  to  the  number  of  the  Prov- 
inces of  the  Order ;  and  upon  each  branch 
hung  fo  many  Friars  as  there  were  in  the 
Province  appropriated  to  that  branch  ;  and 
thus  he  knew  the  number  of  all  the  Friars 
in  the  Order,  and  of  each  Province,  and  alfo 
their  names  and  ages  and  conditions,  and 
the  great  offices  and  dignities  and  efpecial 
graces  belonging  to  each,  and  their  offences. 
And  he  faw  Brother  John  of  Parma  at  the 
higheft  tip  of  the  midmoft  bough  of  this 
tree ;  and  in  the  topmoft  twigs  of  the 
branches,  which  grew  about  this  midmoft 
branch,  ftood  the  minifters  of  every  Prov- 
ince. And  after  this  he  faw  Chrift  feated 
upon  a  great  white  throne;  and  Chrift  called 
Saint  Francis  to  fit  befide  him,  and  gave 
him  a  Chalice  full  of  the  Water  of  Life, 
and  fent  him  forth,  faying  :  '  Go,  vifit  your 
Brethren,  and  give  them  to  drink  of  this 
Cup  of  the  Water  of  Life ;  forafmuch  as  the 
fpirit  of  Satan  mall  rife  up  againft  them 
and  lhall  dam  them  down,  and  many  among 
them  fhall  fall  and  fhall  not  rife  again.' 
And  Chrift  gave  to  Saint  Francis  two 
Angels  which  mould  walk  befide  him. 
And  then  came  Saint  Francis  to  offer  the 

Cup 


Saint  jFrancfs  of  atestsf.   203 

Cup  of  Life  to  his  Brethren  :  and  he  did 
firft  offer  it  to  Brother  John  of  Parma,  who, 
taking,  drank  it  all,  every  drop,  devoutly 
and  in  hafte ;  and  fuddenly  he  became 
luminous  as  the  fun.  And  after  him  fuc- 
ceffively  Saint  Francis  offered  it  to  all  the 
reft  :  and  there  were  but  few  among  them 
who  with  due  reverence  and  devotion  did 
take  and  drink  it  all.  They  who  took  it 
pioufly  and  drank  it  all,  every  drop,  ftraight- 
way  became  fplendid  as  the  fun  ;  and  they 
which  fpilled  it  on  the  ground  and  received 
it  not  with  meet  piety,  became  black,  or 
dark  and  miffhapen,  and  horrible  to  look 
upon  :  they  that  drank  a  part  and  poured 
out  a  part  became  partly  luminous  and 
partly  fhadowed,  and  in  greater  or  lefs  de- 
gree, according  to  the  meafure  of  that  that 
they  drank  and  fquandered  ;  but  more  than 
all  the  reft  the  aforefaid  Brother  John 
fhone  refplendent,  which  moft  compla- 
cently had  drank  the  Cup  of  Life,  whereby 
he  had  moft  deeply  contemplated  the  abyfs 
of  infinite  light,  and  therein  had  perceived 
the  adverfity  and  tempeft  which  were  to 
arife  againft  the  faid  tree,  to  fhake  and 
agitate  its  branches.  Wherefore  the  faid 
Brother  John  departed  from  the  tip  of  the 

bough 


204      ®&*  2Ltttle  jFlotoenj  of 

bough  whereon  he  flood,  and  defcending 
downwards  through  all  the  boughs,  did  hide 
himfelf  amid  the  great  limbs  of  the  tree 
clofe  to  the  trunk,  and  there  abode  in  pen- 
five  mood  :  and  a  certain  Brother,  which 
had  taken  a  portion  of  the  Cup  and  had 
fquandered  a  part,  mounted  up  to  that 
branch  and  that  twig  whence  Brother 
John  did  defcend.  And  being  on  the  faid 
twig,  the  nails  of  his  hands  were  changed 
to  fharp  and  piercing  fteel,  like  unto  razors : 
upon  which  he  did  move  from  that  place 
whither  he  had  climbed,  and  with  force  and 
fury  would  fain  have  thrown  himfelf  upon 
the  faid  Brother  John  to  do  him  an  injury ; 
but  Brother  John  feeing  this,  cried  out  in  a 
loud  voice,  and  confided  himfelf  to  the  care 
of  Chrifl,  which  fat  upon  the  throne ;  and 
Chrift  at  his  call  fummoned  Saint  Francis, 
and  gave  him  a  fharp  flint  ftone,  and  faid 
to  him :  '  Go  with  this  ftone  and  cut  the 
nails  of  yonder  Friar,  with  which  he  would 
fain  claw  Brother  John,  to  the  end  that  he 
may  do  no  manner  of  harm  to  any  man.' 
Then  Saint  Francis  came  and  did  even  as 
Chrift  did  command  him.  And  this  done, 
there  came  a  whirlwind,  and  fhook  the 
tree  fo  fore  that  the  Brothers  fell  to  earth  ; 

and 


.Saint  jFrancis  of  Assist.    205 

and  the  firft  to  fall  were  they  who  had 
fpilled  all  the  Cup  of  the  Water  of  Life,  and 
were  borne  thence  by  Demons  to  realms 
of  darknefs  and  torment.  But  Brother 
John,  together  with  the  others  which  had 
drunk  all  the  Cup,  were  tranflated  of  An- 
gels to  the  abode  of  Life  and  Eternal  Light 
and  of  Beatific  Splendor.  And  the  aforefaid 
Brother  James,  who  faw  the  vifion,  under- 
ftood  and  knew  particularly  and  diftinclily 
that  which  he  faw,  reading  clearly  the 
names  and  conditions  and  flates  of  each. 
And  fo  long  endured  that  tempeft  about 
the  tree,  that  it  fell,  and  the  wind  bore  it 
away.  And  then  fo  foon  as  the  tempeft  did 
ceafe  to  rage,  from  the  root  of  that  tree, 
which  was  of  gold,  fprang  forth  another 
tree,  which  was  all  of  gold,  which  brought 
forth  flowers  and  fruits  and  foliage  of  gold. 
Of  the  which  tree,  and  of  its  increafe,  fize, 
beauty,  odor,  and  virtues,  it  is  better  to  be 
filent  than  to  fpeak  at  this  prefent." 


206      STfje  ILfttle  jFlotoers  of 

CHAPTER    XLIX. 

How  Chrift  appeared  to  Brother  John  of  Vernia. 

AMONG  the  other  wife  and  holy  Broth- 
ers and  fons  of  Saint  Francis,  who, 
as  Solomon  faith,  are  the  glory  of  their 
father,  there  lived  in  our  times,  and  in  the 
faid  Province  of  the  Marches,  the  venerable 
and  holy  Brother  John  of  Fermo,  the  which, 
by  reafon  of  the  great  fpace  that  he  abode 
in  the  Holy  Convent  of  Vernia,  and  for 
that  he  there  paffed  away  out  of  this  life, 
was  alfo  called  Brother  John  of  Vernia, 
forafmuch  as  he  was  a  man  of  rare  life 
and  of  great  fanclity.  This  Brother  John, 
being  a  layman  and  yet  a  child,  defired 
with  all  his  heart  to  follow  the  way  of 
true  repentance,  which  fhould  keep  his 
foul  and  body  clean  and  pure  ;  hence, 
being  but  a  little  lad,  he  began  to  bear 
about  him  a  breaftplate  and  an  iron  belt 
next  his  fkin,  and  to  keep  great  fafts,  and 
efpecially  when  he  fojourned  with  the 
Canons  of  Saint  Peter  of  Fermo,  which 
lived  fplendidly,  he  would  fhun  fenfual  de- 
lights, and  mortify  his  flefti  with  moft  rigid 

failings. 


<&afnt  jFrancts  of  Assist*   207 

fallings.  But  his  companions  being  moft 
contrary  to  him  in  this,  tearing  from  him 
his  breaftplate  and  hindering  him  in  divers 
fafhions  from  falling,  he,  infpired  of  God, 
bethought  him  to  forfake  the  world  and  its 
lovers,  and  to  caft  himfelf  wholly  into  the 
arms  of  Chrift  crucified,  with  the  habit  of 
the  crucified  Saint  Francis ;  and  even  fo  he 
did.  And  being  received  into  the  Order 
thus  young,  and  committed  to  the  care  of 
the  Mafter  of  the  Novices,  he  became  fo 
fpiritual  and  devout,  that  once  on  a  time 
hearing  the  faid  Mafter  difcourfe  of  God, 
his  heart  melted  within  him  like  wax  before 
the  fire  ;  and  with  fuch  exceeding  fweet 
grace  was  he  warmed  by  Divine  Love,  that 
he,  not  able  fteadfaftly  to  endure  fuch  great 
fuavity,  rofe  up,  and,  like  a  man  drunk  in 
fpirit,  ran  hither  and  thither,  now  through 
the  garden,  now  the  wood,  and  now  the 
church,  according  as  the  flame  and  fury  of 
the  fpirit  did  urge  him  on.  Then  in  the 
courfe  of  time  Divine  Grace  did  make  this 
angelic  man  to  grow  from  virtue  to  vir- 
tue, and  in  celeftial  gifts  and  divine  ex- 
altation and  ecftafies,  infomuch  that  at 
certain  times  his  mind  was  exalted  to  the 
fplendors  of  the  Cherubim,  at  other  times 

to 


208      Sftjf  Eittle  Jplotoers  of 


to  the  joys  of  the  Bleffed,  and  yet  again 
to  the  loving  and  extraordinary  embrace 
of  Chrift.  And  efpecially  upon  a  certain 
day  was  the  flame  of  Divine  Love  once 
kindled  in  his  heart,  and  this  fire  burned 
within  him  for  the  fpace  of  three  years, 
in  which  time  he  received  marvellous  con- 
folations  and  Divine  vifitations  and  was 
ofttimes  rapt  in  God  ;  and  did  speedily 
appear  all  on  fire  and  aflame  with  the 
love  of  Chrift  :  and  this  was  on  the  holy 
Mount  of  Vernia.  But  inafmuch  as  God 
is  ftrangely  watchful  of  his  children,  giv- 
ing them,  according  to  their  various  ne- 
ceflities,  now  confolation,  now  tribulation, 
now  profperity,  and  now  adverfity,  accord- 
ing as  He  fees  it  needful  to  uphold  them  in 
the  way  of  humility,  or  the  more  to  enkindle 
their  defire  after  celeftial  things,  it  pleafed 
the  Divine  Bounty,  after  the  three  years,  to 
take  away  from  the  faid  Brother  John  that 
bright  beam  and  that  flame  of  Divine  Love, 
and  to  deprive  him  of  all  fpiritual  confolation. 
For  the  which  Brother  John  was  left  with' 
out  light  and  without  the  love  of  God,  and 
was  quite  comfortlefs  and  afflicted  and 
fad  ;  wherefore  he  wandered  through  the 
wood,  roaming  hither  and  yon,  calling  with 

groans 


ijtt  Jprancts  of  Assist.    209 

groans  and  tears  and  fighs  to  the  beloved 
Spoufe  of  his  foul,  which  had  hidden  Him- 
felf  and  departed  from  him,  and  without 
whofe  prefence  his  foul  could  find  no  reft 
neither  any  repofe :  but  in  no  place,  neither 
in  any  manner,  could  he  meet  his  fweet 
Jefus,  or  again  recover  thofe  moft  dear 
and  divine  delights  of  the  love  of  Chrift, 
which  had  been  his  wont.  And  this  tribula- 
tion endured  for  many  days  ;  during  which 
he  perfevered  in  continual  weeping  and 
fighing,  and  in  praying  God  that  of  His 
pity  He  would  reftore  to  him  the  beloved 
Spoufe  of  his  foul.  At  the  laft,  when  it 
pleafed  God  to  have  fufficiently  proved  his 
patience  and  inflamed  his  defire,  one  day, 
as  Brother  John  walked  in  the  faid  wood 
thus  troubled  and  afflicted,  he  fat  down 
to  reft  in  fheer  languor,  leaning  againft  a 
beech-tree,  with  his  face  all  bathed  in 
tears,  gazing  Heavenward,  and  lo!  fuddenly 
there  appeared  Jefus  Chrift  clofe  befide 
him  in  the  very  path  by  which  Brother 
John  came  thither,  but  faying  naught. 
Brother  John  feeing  Him  and  knowing 
Him  well,  that  He  was  Chrift,  fuddenly 
threw  himfelf  at  His  feet  and  with  inor- 
dinate tears  moft  humbly  befought  Him, 

faying : 


210      STije  2-ittle  jFlotoers  of 

faying:  "Help  me,  Lord,  for  without  Thee, 
my  fweeteft  Saviour,  I  live  in  darknefs  and 
in  the  midft  of  tears  ;  without  Thee,  moft 
meek  and  gentle  Lamb,  I  live  in  anguifh, 
in  pain  and  fear  ;  without  Thee,  Son  of 
God  Moft  High,  I  live  in  confufion  and 
fhame ;  without  Thee  I  am  ftripped  of 
every  good,  and  blind,  forafmuch  as  Thou 
art  Chrift  Jefus,  True  Light  of  fouls  ;  with- 
out Thee  I  am  loft  and  damned,  forafmuch 
as  Thou  art  the  Spiritual  Life,  and  the 
very  Life  of  Life ;  without  Thee  I  am 
withered  and  dry,  forafmuch  as  Thou  art 
the  Fountain  of  every  gift  and  every  grace ; 
without  Thee  I  am  all  comfortlefs,  foraf- 
much as  Thou  art  Jefus,  our  redemption, 
love,  and  defire,  the  Bread  that  doth  com- 
fort, and  the  Vine  that  maketh  to  rejoice 
the  hearts  of  Angels  and  the  hearts  of  all 
the  Saints.  Shine  upon  me,  moft  gracious 
Mafter  and  moft  loving  Shepherd,  foraf- 
much as  I  am  Thy  lamb,  unworthy  though 
I  am."  But  to  the  end  that  the  defire  of 
holy  men,  unto  which  our  Lord  is  flow  to 
hearken,  might  be  kindled  unto  greater  love 
and  merit,  Chrift  the  Blelfed  departed  thence 
and  left  him  unheard,  neither  fpake  He  any 
word,  and  went  His  way  along  that  felf- 

fame 


.Saint  jFrancis  of  Assist.    211 

fame  path.  Then  Brother  John  rofe  up,, 
and  haftened  after  him,  and  yet  again  did 
fall  at  His  feet,  and  with  a  holy  importu- 
nity did  hold  Him  by  His  garment,  and 
with  moft  pious  tears  befought  Him,  fay- 
ing :  "  O  fweeteft  Jefus  Chrift,  have  mercy 
upon  my  tribulation  ;  hearken  unto  me  for 
the  abundance  of  Thy  mercy,  and  for  the 
truth  of  Thy  falvation,  and  give  me  back 
the  light  of  Thy  countenance  and  of  Thy 
loving  kindnefs,  forafmuch  as  the  whole 
earth  is  full  of  Thy  merciful  deeds."  And 
Chrift  departed  from  him  yet  again,  and 
fpake  not  to  him,  neither  gave  He  him  any 
confolation ;  and  He  did  even  as  the  mother 
doth  to  her  child,  when  fhe  lets  him  long 
for  her  breaft,  and  lures  him  to  purfue  her 
with  weeping,  to  the  end  that  fo  he  may 
take  it  more  gladly.  At  which  Brother 
John  once  more  with  greater  fervor  and 
defire  followed  after  Chrift;  and  having 
drawn  nigh  to  Him,  Chrift  the  Bleffed 
turned  to  him,  and  looked  upon  him  with 
a  gracious  and  fmiling  countenance  ;  and 
opening  His  moft  holy  and  merciful  arms, 
He  did  moft  fweetly  embrace  him.  And  in 
that  opening  of  His  arms  Brother  John 
faw  rays  of  refplendent  light  to  iffue  from 

the 


212      ftije  SUttie  jFlotorrs  of 

the  moft  Sacred  Breaft  of  the  Saviour,  the 
which  lighted  all  the  wood  and  pierced  his 
very  foul  and  body.  Then  Brother  John 
knelt  at  Chrifl's  feet ;  and  the  Bleffed  Jefus, 
even  as  He  did  to  Magdalen,  gave  him  His 
foot  to  kifs.  And  Brother  John,  taking  it 
with  fupreme  reverence,  bathed  it  in  fo 
many  tears  that  verily  he  feemed  another 
Magdalen  ;  and  he  cried  devoutly  :  "I  pray 
Thee,  O  Lord,  that  Thou  wilt  not  regard 
my  fins,  but  by  Thy  moft  Holy  Paffion,  and 
by  the  fhedding  of  Thy  moft  Precious  and 
Holy  Blood,  that  Thou  wilt  revive  my  foul 
by  the  grace  of  Thy  Love  ;  fmce  this  is 
Thy  command,  that  we  love  Thee  with  all 
our  hearts  and  with  all  our  minds ;  which 
command  can  none  fulfil  without  Thy  aid. 
Aid  me,  then,  moft  beloved  Son  of  God,  for 
I  love  Thee  with  my  whole  heart  and  my 
whole  ftrength."  And  Brother  John,  en- 
treating thus  at  Chrift's  feet,  was  heard  of 
Him,  and  again  received  from  Him  his 
former  grace,  which  is  the  flame  of  Divine 
love,  and  felt  himfelf  quite  confoled  and 
renewed ;  and  knowing  the  gift  of  Divine 
grace  to  have  returned  into  him,  he  began 
to  give  thanks  unto  Chrift  the  Bleffed,  and 
devoutly  to  kifs  His  feet.  And  then  rifmg 

up 


Saint  jFrancfg  of  Assist.    213 

up  to  gaze  upon  the  face  of  Chrift,  Jefus 
Chrift  ftretched  forth  and  offered  him  His 
moft  Sacred  Hands  to  kifs :  and  when  that 
Brother  John  had  killed  them,  he  drew 
near  and  fell  upon  Chrift's  bofom  and  em- 
braced and  kifled  Him  ;  and  Jefus  likevvife 
did  embrace  and  kifs  him.  And  in  thefe 
kiffes  and  embraces  Brother  John  enjoyed 
fuch  Divine  odors,  that  had  all  the  odorifer- 
ous delights  and  all  the  perfumed  things  of 
earth  been  conjoined  together,  they  would 
have  feemed  but  an  evil  ftench  in  compari- 
fon  with  that  fmell ;  and  therein  Brother 
John  was  rapt  and  confoled  and  enlight- 
ened, and  that  fmell  dwelt  in  his  foul  for 
many  months.  And  thenceforth,  from  his 
mouth,  which  had  drank  of  the  Fountain  of 
Divine  Wifdom  in  the  Sacred  Bofom  of  the 
Saviour,  came  forth  marvellous  and  celeftial 
words,  which  turned  all  hearts;  and  they 
that  heard  him  reaped  much  fpiritual  har- 
veft :  and  in  the  path  in  the  wood  wherein 
had  ftrayed  the  Bleffed  Feet  of  Chrift,  and 
for  a  good  fpace  round  about,  Brother  John 
did  ever  fmell  that  fmell,  and  fee  that  fplen- 
dor,  whenfoever  he  returned  thither  for  a 
great  time  thereafter.  Brother  John  re- 
turning again  to  himfelf  after  that  ecftafy, 

and 


214      &%*  Utttlc  jFiotorrs  of 

and  the  bodily  prefence  of  Chrift  being  van- 
ifhed,  he  remained  fo  enlightened  in  foul, 
in  the  depth  of  his  divinity,  that  albeit  he 
was  no  fcholar  by  human  ftudy,  neverthe- 
lefs  he  did  miraculoufly  folve  and  expound 
the  moft  fubtle  and  profound  queftions 
concerning  the  Divine  Trinity  and  the 
deep  myfteries  of  the  Holy  Scriptures. 
And  many  times  thereafter,  fpeaking  be- 
fore the  Pope  and  his  Cardinals,  and  before 
the  King  and  his  Nobles,  and  the  Doctors 
and  learned  Men  of  the  Law,  he  put  them 
all  in  great  amaze  by  the  wife  decrees  and 
lofty  words  which  he  did  utter. 


CHAPTER    L. 

flew,  faying  Mafs  upon  All  Souls'1  Day,  Brother 
John  of  Verniafaw  many  Souls  fet  free  from 
Purgatory. 

THE  faid  Brother  John,  once  faying 
Mafs  upon  All  Souls'  Day,  for  all 
the  fouls  of  them  that  are  dead,  according 
as  the  Church  hath  decreed,  offered  up 
that  moft  noble  Sacrament  with  fuch  loving- 
kindnefs  and  fuch  pious  compaffion  that  for 

its 


<Satnt  jFratuis  of  Assist,    215 

its  efficacy  the  fouls  of  the  dead  defired 
above  any  other  good  that  he  might  be 
chofen  of  all  men  to  fay  fervice  for  them  ; 
for  he  feemed  to  melt  quite  away  in  the 
fweetnefs  of  his  pity  and  brotherly  love. 
For  the  which  thing,  as  he  did  devoutly 
raife  aloft  the  Body  of  Chrift  in  that  Mafs, 
offering  it  unto  God  the  Father,  and  pray- 
ing Him  that  for  love  of  His  Bleffed  Son 
Jefus  Chrift,  Which  hung  upon  the  Crofs  to 
buy  back  fouls,  He  would  be  pleafed  to  fet 
free  from  the  pains  of  Purgatory  the  fouls 
of  the  dead,  created  and  redeemed  by 
Him,  ftraightway  he  faw  an  almoft  infinite 
number  of  fouls  rife  up  out  of  Purgatory, 
as  they  had  been  countlefs  fparks  of  fire 
flying  up  from  a  burning  furnace  ;  and  he 
faw  them  go  up  into  Heaven,  through  the 
merits  of  Chrift's  Paffion,  which  is  every 
day  offered  up  for  the  quick  and  the  dead 
in  that  moft  Sacred  Hoft,  worthy  to  be 
adored  in  facula  faculorum. 


216      &te  Utttle  jFlotoers  of 


CHAPTER    LI. 

Of  the  Holy  Brother  James  of  Fallerone  ;  and 
how,  before  he  died,  he  did  appear  to  Brother 
John  of  Vernia. 

AT  the  time  when  Brother  James  of 
Fallerone,  a  man  of  much  fanctity, 
lay  very  ill  at  the  Convent  of  Moliano  in 
the  territory  of  Fermo,  Brother  John  of 
Vernia,  who  was  then  abiding  at  the  Con- 
vent of  Maffa,  hearing  of  his  affliction, 
forafmuch  as  he  loved  him  like  his  own 
dear  father,  fell  to  praying  for  him,  de- 
voutly entreating  God  in  filent  prayer  that 
He  would  make  whole  the  body  of  the  faid 
Brother  James,  if  it  were  for  his  foul's  beft 
good  ;  and  praying  thus  devoutly,  he  was 
rapt  in  ecftafy,  and  faw  in  mid-air  a  vaft 
army  of  Angels  and  Saints  above  his  cell, 
which  was  in  the  wood,  encompaffed  with 
fuch  fplendor  that  all  the  region  round 
about  was  lighted  up  with  the  glory 
thereof ;  and  among  thefe  Angels  he  faw 
the  fick  Brother  James,  for  whom  he 
prayed,  arrayed  in  white  and  mining  robes. 
He  alfo  faw  among  them  the  bleffed 

Father 


.Saint  jFrancis  of  Assist.    217 

Father  Saint  Francis,  adorned  with  the 
Sacred  Stigmata  of  Chrift,  and  of  exceed- 
ing luftre.  He  alfo  faw  and  recognized 
Holy  Brother  Lucius,  and  Brother  Matthew 
the  Prior  of  Mount  Rubiano,  and  many 
more  Friars,  the  which  he  had  never  feen 
nor  known  in  this  life.  And  Brother  John 
gazing  thus  with  great  delight,  as  was  his 
wont,  upon  that  bleffed  band  of  Saints, 
there  was  revealed  to  him  as  a  verity  the 
Spiritual  Salvation  of  the  faid  fick  Brother, 
and  that  he  muft  needs  die  of  his  difeafe ; 
but  he  mould  not  go  ftraight  to  Paradife 
after  death,  inafmuch  as  it  befeemed  him 
firft  to  purge  his  fins  a  little  fpace  in  Pur- 
gatory. At  the  which  revelation  Brother 
John  did  fo  greatly  rejoice  for  that  foul's 
falvation  that  he  heeded  not  the  death  of 
the  body,  but  with  great  fweetnefs  of  fpirit 
called  him  foftly,  faying :  "  Brother  James, 
my  dear  father ;  Brother  James,  my  dear 
brother  ;  Brother  James,  moft  faithful  fer- 
vant  and  friend  of  God  ;  Brother  James, 
Companion  of  Angels  and  Confort  of  the 
Bleffed."  And  thus  in  this  affurance  and 
cheer  he  returned  again  to  himfelf,  and 
incontinently  did  fet  forth  from  the  Con- 
vent and  go  to  vifit  the  faid  Brother  James 

at 


218      STJje  afttle  jFloiurrs  of 

at  Moliano ;  and  finding  him  fo  heavily 
burdened  that  he  could  fcarce  fpeak,  he 
announced  to  him  the  death  of  his  body 
and  the  glory  and  falvation  of  his  foul, 
according  to  the  affurance  which  he  had 
received  through  Divine  revelation  ;  at 
which  Brother  James,  much  rejoiced  in 
foul  and  in  afpect,  received  him  with  great 
cheer  and  with  a  jocund  laugh,  thanking 
him  for  the  good  tidings  he  did  bring, 
and  devoutly  recommending  himfelf  to  his 
prayers.  Then  Brother  John  befought  him 
dear,  that  after  his  death  he  would  return 
and  fpeak  to  him  concerning  his  condition  ; 
and  Brother  James  gave  him  his  promife 
fo  to  do,  if  it  mould  thus  pleafe  God.  And 
having  faid  thefe  words,  the  hour  of  his 
paffing  away  drew  near,  and  Brother  James 
began  pioufly  to  recite  that  verfe  of  the 
Pfalms  :  In  pace  in  idipfum  dormiam,  et 
requiefcam;  which  is  to  fay:  I  will  lay  me 
down  in  peace,  and  take  my  reft ;  and 
having  repeated  this  verfe,  with  a  light 
and  jocund  face  he  paffed  away  from  this 
life.  And  after  that  he  was  buried,  Brother 
John  travelled  thence  to  the  Convent  of 
Maffa,  and  awaited  the  promife  of  Brother 
James  that  he  would  return  again  to  him 

upon 


-Snfnt  .fFrancfs  of  Ssnini.    219 

upon  the  day  which  he  had  named.  But 
on  the  faid  day,  he  being  at  prayer,  Chrift 
did  appear  unto  him  with  a  great  company 
of  Angels  and  of  Saints,  among  whom 
Brother  James  was  not ;  whence  Brother 
John,  marvelling  much,  recommended  him 
fervently  to  Chrift.  Then  the  day  follow- 
ing thereafter,  Brother  John  praying  in  the 
wood,  Brother  James  did  appear  to  him  ac- 
companied by  the  Angels,  all  glorious  and 
all  bright,  and  Brother  John  faid  to  him  : 
"  O  deareft  father,  why  did  you  not  return 
again  unto  me  upon  the  day  which  you  did 
name  ? "  Brother  James  replied  :  "  Foraf- 
much  as  I  had  need  of  certain  purgation  ; 
but  in  that  fame  hour  that  Chrift  appeared 
to  you,  and  you  did  commend  me  to  His 
care,  Chrift  heard  you  and  delivered  me 
out  of  all  punifhment.  And  then  I  ap- 
peared unto  Brother  James  of  Mafia,  a  lay 
faint,  which  was  ferving  at  Mafs,  and  faw 
the  Confecrated  Wafer,  when  the  Prieft  did 
raife  it  up,  converted  and  changed  into  the 
form  of  a  moft  beauteous  living  boy,  and 
faid  to  him  :  '  I  go  this  day  with  this  fame 
child  unto  the  realm  of  Eternal  Life, 
whence  can  none  go  without  him.' "  And 
faying  thefe  words,  Brother  James  difap- 

peared, 


220      STtye  Utttle  jHotoers  of 

peared,  and  rofe  up  to  Heaven  with  all 
that  bleffed  company  of  Angels  ;  and 
Brother  John  was  left  greatly  comforted. 
The  faid  Brother  James  of  Fallerone  died 
upon  the  eve  of  the  day  of  Saint  James 
the  Apoftle,  in  the  month  of  July,  at  the 
aforefaid  Convent  of  Moliano ;  wherein 
for  his  merits  the  Divine  Bounty  wrought 
many  miracles  after  his  death. 


CHAPTER    LII. 

Of  the  Vijion  of  Brother  John  of  Vernia, 
wherein  he  knew  the  whole  Order  of  the  Holy 
Trinity. 

THE  aforefaid  Brother  John  of  Vernia, 
forafmuch  as  he  had  perfectly  ab- 
jured every  mundane  and  temporal  comfort 
and  delight,  and  had  put  all  his  pleafure 
and  all  his  hope  in  God,  Divine  Bounty 
gave  him  wondrous  confolations  and  reve- 
lations, efpecially  at  the  high  feafts  of  Chrift ; 
whence  the  folemn  feaft  of  Chrift's  Nativ- 
ity once  drawing  nigh,  whereon  he  furely 
awaited  comfort  from  God  in  the  fweet  hu- 
manity of  Jefus,  the  Holy  Ghoft  poured 

into 


Saint  jFrancts  of  Assist.   221 

into  his  foul  fuch  great  and  exceffive  love 
and  longing  for  the  brotherly  affection  of 
Chrift,  through  the  which  He  did  abafe 
Himfelf  to  take  on  our  humanity,  that  verily 
it  feemed  as  his  foul  had  been  dragged  from 
his  body  and  were  burning  like  to  a  furnace. 
Unable  to  endure  which  ardor,  he  grieved 
and  melted  apace,  and  cried  out  in  a  loud 
voice,  forafmuch  as  through  the  force  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft,  and  through  the  overmuch  fer- 
vor of  his  love,  he  could  not  longer  reftrain 
his  cries.  And  in  that  fame  hour  when 
that  meafurelefs  fervor  came  upon  him,  with 
it  came  fo  ftrong  and  fure  a  hope  of  his 
falvation,  that  he  could  not  in  any  manner 
believe  that  if  he  were  dead  he  muft  needs 
pafs  through  the  pains  of  Purgatory  ;  and 
this  love  endured  in  him  full  fix  months, 
albeit  that  exceflive  fervor  was  not  con- 
tinual, but  came  upon  him  at  certain  hours 
of  the  day.  And  at  this  time  he  did  re- 
ceive marvellous  vifitations  and  confola- 
tions  of  God  :  and  ofttimes  was  he  rapt, 
as  he  was  feen  of  that  Brother  which  firft 
wrote  down  thefe  things  ;  among  which, 
he  was  one  night  fo  mightily  exalted  and 
rapt  in  God  that  he  faw  in  Him  the  Crea- 
tor of  all  created  things  both  celeftial  and 

terreftrial, 


222      STfje  Efttle  jHotoera  of 

terreftrial,  and  all  their  perfections  and  de- 
grees and  various  orders.  And  then  he 
knew  clearly  how  every  created  thing  look- 
eth  in  the  eye  of  its  Creator,  and  how  Our 
Lord  is  above,  and  within,  and  without,  and 
beneath  all  created  things.  He  alfo  faw 
and  knew  one  God  in  three  Perfons,  and 
three  Perfons  in  one  God,  and  the  infinite 
loving-kindnefs  which  did  make  the  Son 
of  God  incarnate  through  obedience  to  the 
Father.  And  laflly  and  finally,  he  knew 
in  that  vilion  how  that  there  is  no  other 
way  by  which  the  Soul  can  journey  to  God 
and  have  Eternal  Life,  fave  only  through 
Chrift  the  Blefled,  which  is  the  Way  and 
the  Truth  and  the  Life  of  the  Soul. 


CHAPTER    LIII. 

How,  faying  Mafs,  Brother  John  of  Verniafell 
as  one  Dead. 

TO   the  faid  Brother  John,  as  he  did 
abide  in   the   aforefaid  Convent  of 
Moliano,  there  did  hap  on  a  certain  time 
this  wondrous  chance,  as  thofe  Brethren 
which  were  prefent  do  relate ;  for  the  firft 

fennight 


Saint  jFrancts  of  Assist.    223 

fennight  after  the  feaft  of  Saint  Lorenzo, 
and  during  the  fennight  of  the  Aflumption 
of  Our  Lady,  he  having  faid  Matins  in 
Church  with  the  other  Friars,  and  the 
un6lion  of  Divine  Grace  coming  unlocked 
for  upon  him,  he  went  forth  into  the  garden 
to  meditate  upon  Chrift's  Paflion  and  to  pre- 
pare himfelf  to  celebrate  with  all  due  piety 
the  Mafs  which  it  was  his  duty  that  morn- 
ing to  fmg ;  and  pondering  the  words 
of  the  confecration  of  the  Body  of  Chrift, 
that  is,  confidering  the  infinite  Compafiion 
of  Chrift,  which  led  Him  to  redeem  man- 
kind, not  only  with  His  moil  Precious 
Blood,  but  alfo  to  leave  with  us  His  moft 
Worthy  Body  and  Blood  as  food  for  our 
hungry  fouls,  his  love  of  the  fweet  Jefus 
began  to  wax  within  him  in  fuch  fervor  and 
fuch  fuavity  that  his  foul  could  no  longer  en- 
dure fuch  piercing  f weetnefs ;  but  he  cried 
aloud,  and  as  one  drunk  in  fpirit  ceafed  not 
from  faying,  Hoc  eft  corpus  meum :  foraf- 
much  as  faying  thefe  words  he  feemed  to 
fee  the  Bleffed  Chrift  with  the  Virgin  Mary 
and  a  multitude  of  Angels,  and  as  he  faid 
thefe  words  he  was  enlightened  of  the 
Holy  Ghoft  concerning  all  the  deep  and 
lofty  myfteries  of  that  moft  high  Sacra- 
ment 


224 

ment.  And  at  day  dawn  he  entered  the 
Church  with  that  fervent  fpirit  and  with 
that  felfsame  anxious  pang,  and  repeated 
ever  thofe  fame  words,  thinking  himfelf 
heard  of  none  and  feen  of  none  ;  but  a 
certain  Monk  knelt  in  the  choir  at  prayer, 
which  heard  and  faw  all.  And  unable  in 
that  ardor  to  reftrain  himfelf,  through  the 
abundance  of  Divine  Grace,  he  cried  out 
in  a  loud  voice,  and  fo  long  he  did  continue 
thus,  that  it  was  the  hour  to  fay  the  Mafs  ; 
wherefore  he  went  to  trim  the  altar ;  and 
beginning  Mafs,  the  farther  he  proceeded 
fo  much  the  more  grew  his  love  of  Chrift 
and  thai  fervor  of  devotion  with  which  he 
was  given  a  fenfe  of  the  ineffable  God  fuch 
as  he  himfelf  knew  not,  nor  could  exprefs 
it  after  with  his  tongue.  Wherefore  he, 
fearing  left  that  fervor  and  fenfe  of  God 
mould  wax  fo  great  that  he  muft  need 
leave  the  Mafs  unfaid,  was  greatly  troubled, 
and  knew  not  which  part  to  choofe;  whether 
to  proceed  with  the  Mafs,  or  to  flay  and 
await  what  might  befall.  But  forafmuch 
as  another  time  a  fimilar  chance  befell 
him,  and  the  Lord  had  fo  tempered  that 
ardor  that  he  was  not  forced  to  leave  the 
Mafs  unfaid,  and  trufting  that  fo  he  might 

have 


Saint  jFrancCs  of  Assist.    225 

have  ftrength  to  endure  again,  he  went  on 
and  finifhed  the  Mafs  with  great  fear;  and 
coming  even  fo  far  as  the  Preface  of  Our 
Lady,  the  Divine  Illumination  and  Gracious 
Suavity  of  the  love  of  God  began  fo  to  grow 
upon  him,  that,  reaching  the  Qui pridie>  he 
could  fcarce  endure  fuch  excefs  of  fuavity 
and  fweetnefs.  Finally,  attaining  unto  the 
ac~l  of  confecration,  and  faying  one  half  the 
words  over  the  Hoft,  that  is,  Hoc  eft,  in  no 
manner  could  he  go  farther,  but  ftill  did 
repeat  thofe  felfsame  words,  that  is,  Hoc  eft 
enim:  and  the  caufe  why  he  could  not  pro- 
ceed farther  was,  that  he  felt  and  faw  the 
prefence  of  Chrift  with  a  multitude  of  An- 
gels, whofe  majefty  he  could  not  fuffer,  and 
he  faw  that  Chrift  would  not  enter  into  the 
Hoft,  or  rather  that  the  Hoft  could  not  be 
tranfubftantiated  into  the  Body  of  Chrift,  un- 
lefs  he  did  utter  the  other  half  of  the  words, 
that  is,  corpus  meum.  At  the  which  he, 
lingering  thus  in  anguifh,  and  not  proceed- 
ing farther,  the  Prior  and  the  other  Monks, 
and  even  many  laymen  which  were  in  the 
Church  to  hear  the  Mafs,  haftened  towards 
the  altar ;  and  they  ftood  affrighted  as  they 
faw  and  confidered  the  acts  of  Brother  John, 
and  many  among  them  wept  for  pure  piety. 

At 


226      &te  Hfttle  jFlotonrs  of 

At  laft  after  a  great  fpace,  that  is,  when  it 
pleafed  God,  Brother  John  uttered  the  words, 
enim  corpus  meurn,  in  a  loud  voice  ;  and  fud- 
denly  the  form  of  the  Wafer  vanifhed,  and 
Jefus  Chrift  the  Bleffed  appeared  within 
the  Hoft  incarnate  and  glorified,  and  fet 
forth  unto  him  the  humility  arid  charity 
which  did  incarnate  Him  of  the  Virgin 
Mary,  and  which  daily  maketh  Him  to  de- 
fcend  into  the  hands  of  the  Prieft  when 
he  doth  confecrate  the  Holt ;  whereby  he 
was  the  more  exalted  in  fweetnefs  of  con- 
templation. Hence,  having  lifted  up  the 
Hbft  and  confecrated  Cup,  he  was  rapt  out 
of  himfelf ;  and  his  foul  having  loft  all  fen- 
fual  and  flefhly  fenfe,  his  body  did  fall  back- 
wards ;  and  if  that  the  Prior  had  not  held 
him  in  his  arms  as  he  flood  behind  him, 
he  would  have  fallen  to  the  ground.  At 
which  the  Brethren  drawing  nigh,  together 
with  thofe  laymen  which  were  in  the 
Church,  both  men  and  women,  he  was 
borne  away  thence  into  the  facrifty  like 
unto  one  dead,  forafmuch  as  his  body  was 
quite  cold,  and  the  fingers  of  his  hands 
were  clenched  fo  clofe  that  they  had  much 
ado  to  fpread  or  move  them.  And  in  this 
manner  he  did  lie  as  one  fenfelefs,  or 

rather 


Saint  jfvaucts  of  assist.    227 

rather  rapt,  even  until  Tierce,  and  fo  re- 
mained. And  forafmuch  as  I,  who  was 
prefent  at  thefe  things,  defired  mightily  to 
know  thofe  things  which  God  had  wrought 
in  him,  ftraightway  that  he  did  return  to 
himfelf  I  did  go  in  to  him,  and  did  pray 
him  for  the  love  of  God  that  he  would  tell 
me  all.  Hence  he,  becaufe  he  had  great 
faith  in  me,  did  narrate  to  me  all  in  order : 
and  among  other  things  which  he  told  me, 
he  declared  that  as  he  confidered  the  Body 
and  Blood  of  Chrift  Jefus  which  were 
before  him,  his  heart  was  liquefied  like 
unto  well-tempered  wax,  and  it  feemed  as 
his  flefh  were  deprived  of  bones,  in  fuch 
manner  that  he  could  not  lift  either  hand 
or  arm  to  make  the  fign  of  the  Crofs  above 
the  Chalice.  So,  too,  he  told  me  that  before 
ever  he  became  a  Prieft  it  was  revealed  to 
him  of  God  that  he  (hould  but  feldom  go 
to  Mafs  ;  but  inafmuch  as  he  had  already 
faid  many  Maffes,  and  this  thing  had  never 
yet  befallen  him,  he  bethought  himfelf  that 
the  revelation  came  not  from  God.  And 
neverthelefs  fome  fifty  days  before  the 
Affumption  of  Our  Lady,  whereon  the 
aforefaid  chance  befell  him,  he  did  receive 
yet  another  revelation  of  God,  telling  him 

that 


228  jflotomi  of  Saint 

that  this  chance  fhould  befall  him  on  6r 
about  the  faid  feaft  of  the  Affumption  ; 
but  he  remembered  not  thereafter  the  faid 
vifion,  or  rather  revelation,  made  to  him 
by  Our  Lord. 


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